Sulfotransferase sequence variants

ABSTRACT

Isolated sulfotransferase nucleic acid molecules that include a nucleotide sequence variant and nucleotides flanking the sequence variant are described. Methods for determining a risk estimate for hormone dependent disease and methods for determining sulfonator status also are described.

STATEMENT AS TO FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0001] Funding for the work described herein was provided by the federal government, which has certain rights in the invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention relates to sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequence variants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Pharmacogenetics is the study of the role of inheritance in variation of drug response, a variation that often results from individual differences in drug metabolism. Sulfation is an important pathway in the metabolism of many neurotransmitters, hormones, drugs and other xenobiotics. Sulfate conjugation is catalyzed by members of a gene superfamily of cytosolic sulfotransferase enzymes. It was recently agreed that “SULT” will be used as an abbreviation for these enzymes. These enzymes also are known as “PSTs” in the literature. Included among the nine cytosolic SULTs presently known to be expressed in human tissues are three phenol SULTs, SULT1A1, 1A2 and 1A3, which catalyze the sulfate conjugation of many phenolic drugs and other xenobiotics.

[0004] Biochemical studies of human phenol SULTs led to the identification of two isoforms that were defined on the basis of substrate specificities, inhibitor sensitivities and thermal stabilities. A thermostable (TS), or phenol-preferring form, and a thermolabile (TL), or monoamine-preferring form, were identified. “TS PST” preferentially catalyzed the sulfation at micromolar concentrations of small planar phenols such as 4-nitrophenol and was sensitive to inhibition by 2,6-dichloro4-nitrophenol (DCNP). “TL PST” preferentially catalyzed the sulfation of micromolar concentration of phenolic monoamines such as dopamine and was relatively insensitive to DCNP inhibition. Weinshilboum, R. M. Fed. Proc., 45:2223 (1986). Both of these biochemically-defined activities were expressed in a variety of human tissues including liver, brain, jejunum and blood platelets. Human platelet TS PST displayed wide individual variations, not only in level of activity, but also in thermal stability. Segregation analysis of data from family studies of human platelet TS PST showed that levels of this activity as well as individual variations in its thermal stability were controlled by genetic variation. Price, P. A. et al., Genetics, 122:905-914 (1989).

[0005] Molecular genetic experiments indicated that there are three “PST genes” in the human genome, two of which, SULT1A1 (STP1) and SULT1A2 (STP2), encode proteins with TS PST-like activity, SULT1A1 (TS PST1) and SULT1A2 (TS PST2), respectively. The remaining gene, SULT1A3 (STM), encodes a protein with TL PST-like activity, SULT1A3 (TL PST). DNA sequences and structures of the genes for these enzymes are highly homologous, and all three map to a phenol SULT gene complex on the short arm of human chromosome 16. Weinshilboum, R. et al., FASEB J., 11(1):3-14 (1997).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention is based on the discovery of several common SULT1A1 and SULT1A2 alleles encoding enzymes that differ functionally and are associated with individual differences in phenol SULT properties in platelets and liver. In addition, the invention is based on the discovery of SULT1A3 sequence variants. These discoveries permit use of SULT genomic and biochemical pharmacogenetic data to better understand the possible contribution of inheritance to individual differences in the sulfate conjugation of drugs and other xenobiotics in humans. Thus, the identification of SULT allozymes and alleles allows sulfonator status of a subject to be assessed. The information and insight obtained thereby allows tailoring of particular treatment regimens in the subject. In addition, risk estimates for hormone dependent diseases can be determined.

[0007] The invention features an isolated nucleic acid molecule including a SULT1A3 nucleic acid sequence. The sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequence includes a nucleotide sequence variant and nucleotides flanking the sequence variant. A nucleic acid construct that includes such sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequences is also described. The SULT1A3 sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequence can encode a sulfotransferase polypeptide including an amino acid sequence variant. SULT1A3 nucleotide sequence variants can be within an intron. For example, introns 4 and 6 each can include an adenine at nucleotide 69. Intron 7 can include a thymine at nucleotide 113. SULT1A3 nucleotide sequence variants can include insertion of nucleotides within intron sequences. The nucleotide sequence 5′-CAGT-3′ can be inserted, for example, within intron 3. A SULT1A3 nucleotide sequence variant also can include a guanine at nucleotide 105 of the coding sequence.

[0008] The invention also features SULT1A1 and SULT1A2 nucleotide sequence variants. The SULT1A1 nucleotide sequence variants can include, for example, a cytosine at nucleotide 138 of intron 1A or a thymine at nucleotide 34 of intron 5. A SULT1A1 variant also can include, for example, an adenine at nucleotide 57, 110, or 645 of the SULT1A1 coding sequence. The SULT1A1 nucleic acid sequence can encode a sulfotransferase polypeptide having, for example, a glutamine at amino acid 37. SULT1A2 nucleotide sequence variants can include a thymine at nucleotide 78 of intron 5 or a thymine at nucleotide 9 of intron 7. The coding sequence of SULT1A2 can include a thymine of nucleotide 550. The SULT1A2 nucleic acid sequence can encode, for example a cysteine at amino acid 184.

[0009] In another aspect, the invention features a method for determining a risk estimate of a hormone disease in a patient. The method includes detecting the presence or absence of a sulfotransferase nucleotide sequence variant in a patient, and determining the risk estimate based, at least in part, on presence or absence of the variant in the patient. The hormone dependent disease can be, for example, breast cancer, prostate cancer or ovarian cancer.

[0010] The invention also features a method for determining sulfonator status in a subject. The method includes detecting the presence or absence of a sulfotransferase allozyme or nucleotide sequence variant in a subject, and determining the sulfonator status based, at least in part, on said determination.

[0011] An antibody having specific binding affinity for a sulfotransferase polypeptide is also described.

[0012] The invention also features isolated nucleic acid molecules that include a sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequence that encode a sulfotransferase allozyme. The allozyme can be selected from the group consisting of SULT1A1*4, SULT1A2*4, SULT1A2*5, and SULT1A2*6. Sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequences that include sulfotransferase alleles selected from the group consisting of SULT1A1*1, SULT1A1*2, SULT1A1*3A, SULT1A1*3B and SULT1A1*4 also are featured. In particular, the SULT1A1*1 allele can be SULT1A1*1A to SULT1A1*1K. The SULT1A2 allele can be SULT1A2*1A-1D, SULT1A2*2A-2C, SULT1A2*3A-3C or SULT1A2*4-*6.

[0013] The invention also relates to an article of manufacture that includes a substrate and an array of different sulfotransferase nucleic acid molecules immobilized on the substrate. Each of the different sulfotransferase nucleic acid molecules includes a different sulfotransferase nucleotide sequence variant and nucleotides flanking the sequence variant. The array of different. sulfotransferase nucleic acid molecules can include at least two nucleotide sequence variants of SULT1A1 , SULT1A2, or SULT1A3.

[0014] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 represents human platelet TS PST phenotypes. FIG. 1A is a scattergram that depicts the relationship between TS PST enzymatic activity and thermal stability in 905 human platelet samples. FIG. 1B is a scattergram that correlates human platelet SULT1A1 genotype with TS PST phenotype.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a representation of human SULT1A1 , SULT1A2, and SULT1A3 gene structures and the PCR strategy used to amplify the open reading frame (ORF) of each gene in three segments. Black rectangles represent exons that encode cDNA ORF sequence, while open rectangles represent exon or portions of exons that encode cDNA untranslated region (UTR) sequence. Roman numerals are exon numbers, and arabic numerals are exon lengths in bp. Gene lengths in kb from initial to final exons are also indicated. Forward and reverse arrows indicate the placement within introns of the PCR primers used to amplify, in three separate reactions, the ORFs of SULT1A1 and SULT1A2.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a scattergram that depicts the relationship between TS PST enzymatic activity and thermal stability in 61 human liver biopsy samples.

[0019]FIGS. 4A and 4B are scattergrams that depict the correlation of SULT1A1 and SULT1A2 genotypes with human liver TS PST phenotype. TS PST phenotypes in the human liver samples depicted as in FIG. 3 are shown with (A) common SULT1A1 allozymes or (B) common SULT1A2 allozymes superimposed. In (B) three samples are not shown because they contain SULT1A2 allozymes that were observed only once in this population sample.

[0020]FIG. 5 is the gene sequence of SULT1A1 (SEQ ID NO:29).

[0021]FIG. 6 is the gene sequence of SULT1A2 (SEQ ID NO:31).

[0022]FIG. 7 is the gene sequence of SULT1A3 (SEQ ID NO:33).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The invention features an isolated nucleic acid molecule that includes a sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequence. The sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequence includes a nucleotide sequence variant and nucleotides flanking the sequence variant. As used herein, “isolated nucleic acid” refers to a sequence corresponding to part or all of the sulfotransferase gene, but free of sequences that normally flank one or both sides of the sulfotransferase gene in a mammalian genome. The term “sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequence” refers to a nucleotide sequence of at least about 14 nucleotides in length. For example, the sequence can be about 14 to 20, 20-50, 50-100 or greater than 100 nucleotides in length. Sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequences can be in sense or antisense orientation. Suitable sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequences include SULT1A1, SULT1A2 and SULT1A3 nucleic acid sequences. As used herein, “nucleotide sequence variant” refers to any alteration in the wild-type gene sequence, and includes variations that occur in coding and non-coding regions, including exons, introns, promoters and untranslated regions.

[0024] In some instances, the nucleotide sequence variant results in a sulfotransferase polypeptide having an altered amino acid sequence. The term “polypeptide” refers to a chain of at least four amino acid residues. Corresponding sulfotransferase polypeptides, irrespective of length, that differ in amino acid sequence are herein referred to as allozymes. For example, a sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequence can be a SULT1A1 nucleic acid sequence and include an adenine at nucleotide 110. This nucleotide sequence variant encodes a sulfotransferase polypeptide having a glutamine at amino acid residue 37. This polypeptide would be considered an allozyme with respect to a corresponding sulfotransferase polypeptide having an arginine at amino acid residue 37. In addition, the nucleotide variant can include an adenine at nucleotide 638 or a guanine at nucleotide 667, and encode a sulfotransferase polypeptide having a histidine at amino acid residue 213 or a valine at amino acid residue 223, respectively.

[0025] As described herein, there are at least four SULT1A1 allozymes. SULT1A1*1 is the most common and contains an arginine at residues 37 and 213, and a methionine at residue 223. SULT1A1*2 contains an arginine at residue 37, a histidine at residue 213 and a methionine at residue 223. SULT1A1*3 contains an arginine at residues 37 and 213, and a valine at residue 223. SULT1A*4 is the least common, and contains a glutamine at residue 37, an arginine at residue 213, and a methionine at residue 223.

[0026] The sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequence also can encode SULT1A2 polypeptide variants. Non-limiting examples of SULT1A2 polypeptide variants include an isoleucine at amino acid residue 7, a leucine at amino acid residue 19, a cysteine at amino acid residue 184, or a threonine at amino acid 235. These polypeptide variants are encoded by nucleotide sequence variants having a cytosine at nucleotide 20, a thymine at nucleotide 56, a thymine at nucleotide 50 and a cytosine at nucleotide 704.

[0027] There are at least six different SULT1A2 allozymes that differ at residues 7, 19, 184 and 235. For example, SULT1A2*1 contains an isoleucine, a proline, an arginine and an asparagine at residues 7, 19, 184 and 235, respectively, and represents the most common allozyme. SULT1A2*2 differs from SULT1A2*1 in that it contains a threonine at residues 7 and 235. SULT1A2*3 differs from SULT1A2*1 in that it contains a leucine at residue 19. SULT1A2*4 differs from SULT1A2*2 in that it contains a cysteine at residue 184. SULT1A2*5 differs from SULT1A2*1 in that it contains a threonine at residue 7. SULT1A2*6 differs from SULT1A2*1 in that it contains an isoleucine at residue 7.

[0028] As described herein, SULT1A1*2 and SULT1A2*2 are associated with decreased TS PST thermal stability in the human liver, but the biochemical and physical properties of recombinant SULT allozymes indicated that the “TS PST phenotype” in the liver is most likely due to expression of SULT1A1. For example, based both on its apparent K_(m) value for 4-nitrophenol and its T₅₀ value, SULT1A1*2 was not consistently associated with low levels of TS PST activity in the liver, but was uniformly associated with decreased levels of platelet TS PST activity and thermal stability. It appears that SULT1A1*2 is associated with lower levels of TS PST activity in tissue from subjects with benign rather than neoplastic disease.

[0029] Certain sulfotransferase nucleotide variants do not alter the amino acid sequence. Such variants, however, could alter regulation of transcription as well as mRNA stability. SULT1A1 variants can occur in intron sequences, for example, within intron 1A and introns 5-7 (i.e., intron 5 is immediately after exon 5 in FIG. 5). In particular, the nucleotide sequence variant can include a cytosine at nucleotide 138 of intron 1A, or a thymine at nucleotide 34 or an adenine at nucleotide 35 of intron 5. Intron 6 sequence variants can include a guanine at nucleotide 11, a cytosine at nucleotide 17, an adenine at nucleotide 35, a guanine at nucleotide 45, a guanine at nucleotide 64, a cytosine at nucleotide 488, and an adenine at nucleotide 509. Intron 7 variants can include a thymine at nucleotide 17, a cytosine at nucleotide 69 and a guanine at nucleotide 120. SULT1A1 nucleotide sequence variants that do not change the amino acid sequence also can be within an exon or in the 3′ untranslated region. For example, the coding sequence can contain an adenine at nucleotide 57, a cytosine at nucleotide 153, a guanine at nucleotide 162, a cytosine at nucleotide 600, or an adenine at nucleotide 645. The 3′ untranslated region can contain a guanine at nucleotide 902 or a thymine at nucleotide 973.

[0030] Similarly, certain SULT1A2 and SULT1A3 variants do not alter the amino acid sequence. Such SULT1A2 nucleotide sequence variants can be within an intron sequence, a coding sequence or within the 3′ untranslated region. In particular, the nucleotide variant can be within intron 2, 5 or 7. For example, intron 2 can contain a cytosine at nucleotide 34. Intron 5 can include a thymine at nucleotide 78, and intron 7 can include a thymine at nucleotide 9. In addition, a cytosine can be at nucleotide 24 or a thymine at nucleotide 895 in SULT1A2 coding sequence. A guanine can be at nucleotide 902 in the 3′ untranslated region. SULT1A3 nucleotide sequences variant can include a guanine at nucleotide 105 of the coding region (within exon 3). In addition, intron 3 of SULT1A3 can include an insertion of nucleotides. For example, the four nucleotides 5′-CAGT-3′ can be inserted between nucleotides 83 and 84 of intron 3. Introns 4, 6, and 7 also can contain sequence variants. For example, nucleotide 69 of introns 4 and 6 can contain an adenine. Nucleotide 113 of intron 7 can contain a thymine.

[0031] Sulfotransferase allozymes as described above are encoded by a series of sulfotransferase alleles. These alleles represent nucleic acid sequences containing sequence variants, typically multiple sequence variants, within intron, exon and 3′ untranslated sequences. Representative examples of single nucleotide variants are described above. Table 3 sets out a series of 13 SULT1A1 alleles (SULT1A1*1A to SULT1A1*1K) that encode SULT1A1*1. SULT1A1*1A to SULT1A1*1K range in frequency from about 0.7% to about 33%, as estimated from random blood donors and hepatic biopsy samples. Two alleles, SULT1A1*3A and SULT1A1*3B each encode SULT1A1*3, and represent about 0.3% to about 1.6% of all SULT1A1 alleles. SULT1A1*2 and SULT1A1*4 are encoded by single alleles, SULT1A1*2 and SULT1A1*4, respectively. SULT1A1*2 represents about 31% of the alleles, whereas SULT1A1*4 accounts for only about 0.3% of the alleles.

[0032] Numerous SULT1A2 alleles also exist (Table 2A). For example, SULT1A2*1 is encoded by four alleles (SULT1A2*1A to SULT1A2*1D) that range in frequency from 0.8% to about 47%. SULT1A2*2 and SULT1A2*3 are each encoded by three alleles (*2A-*2C and *3A-*3C). These alleles range in frequency from 0.8% up to about 26%. Single alleles encode SULT1A2*4, SULT1A2*5, and SULT1A2*6, with each representing about 0.8% of the SULT1A2 alleles. As described herein, SULT1A2 alleles are in linkage disequilibrium with the alleles for SULT1A1.

[0033] The relatively large number of alleles and allozymes for SULT1A1 and SULT1A2, with three common allozymes for each gene, indicates the potential complexity of SULT pharmacogenetics. Such complexity emphasizes the need for determining single nucleotide variants, as well as complete haplotypes of patients. For example, an article of manufacture that includes a substrate and an array of different sulfotransferase nucleic acid molecules immobilized on the substrate allows complete haplotypes of patients to be assessed. Each of the different sulfotransferase nucleic acid molecules includes a different sulfotransferase nucleotide sequence variant and nucleotides flanking the sequence variant. The array of different sulfotransferase nucleic-acid molecules can include at least two nucleotide sequence variants of SULT1A1, SULT1A2, or SULT1A3, or can include all of the nucleotide sequence variants known for each gene.

[0034] Suitable substrates for the article of manufacture provide a base for the immobilization of nucleic acid molecules into discrete units. For example, the substrate can be a chip or a membrane. The term “unit” refers to a plurality of nucleic acid molecules containing the same nucleotide sequence variant. Immobilized nucleic acid molecules are typically about 20 nucleotides in length, but can vary from about 14 nucleotides to about 100 nucleotides in length. In practice, a sample of DNA or RNA from a subject can be amplified, hybridized to the article of manufacture, and then hybridization detected. Typically, the amplified product is labeled to facilitate hybridization detection. See, for example, Hacia, J. G. et al., Nature Genetics, 14:441-447 (1996); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,770,722 and 5,733,729.

[0035] As a result of the present invention, it is now possible to determine sulfonator status of a subject. As used herein “sulfonator status” refers to the ability of a subject to transfer a sulfate group to a substrate. A variety of drugs (e.g., acetaminophen), hormones (e.g., estrogen) and neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine and other phenolic monoamines) are substrates for these enzymes. Generally, sulfonation is considered a detoxification mechanism, as reaction products are more readily excreted. Certain substrates, however, become more reactive upon sulfonation. For example, the N-hydroxy metabolite of 2-acetylaminoflourene is converted to a N—O-sulfate ester, which is reactive with biological macromolecules. Thus, a determination of the presence or absence of nucleotide sequence variants or allozymes facilitates the prediction of therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of drugs on an individual basis, as well as the ability to biotransform certain hormones and neurotransmitters. In addition, the ability to sulfonate hormones may play a role in cancer.

[0036] The presence or absence of sulfotransferase variants allows the determination of a risk estimate for the development of a hormone dependent disease. As used herein, “hormone dependent disease” refers to a disease in which a hormone plays a role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Non-limiting examples of hormone dependent diseases include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer. Risk estimate indicates the relative risk a subject has for developing a hormone dependent disease. For example, a risk estimate for development of breast cancer can be determined based on the presence or absence of sulfotransferase variants. A subject containing, for example, the SULT1A1*2, of sulfotransferase variant may have a greater likelihood of having breast cancer. Additional risk factors include, for example, family history of breast cancer and other genetic factors such as mutations within the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

[0037] Sulfotransferase nucleotide sequence variants can be assessed, for example, by sequencing exons and introns of the sulfotransferase genes, by performing allele-specific hybridization, allele-specific restriction digests, mutation specific polymerase chain reactions (MSPCR), or by single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) detection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) refers to a procedure or technique in which target nucleic acids are amplified. Generally, sequence information from the ends of the region of interest or beyond is employed to design oligonucleotide primers that are identical or similar in sequence to opposite strands of the template to be amplified. PCR can be used to amplify specific sequences from DNA as well as RNA, including sequences from total genomic DNA or total cellular RNA. Primers are typically 14 to 40 nucleotides in length, but can range from 10 nucleotides to hundreds of nucleotides in length. PCR is described, for example in PCR Primer: A Laboratory Manual, Ed. by Dieffenbach, C. and Dveksler, G., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1995. Nucleic acids also can be amplified by ligase chain reaction, strand displacement amplification, self-sustained sequence replication or nucleic acid sequence-based amplification. See, for example, Lewis, R. Genetic Engineering News, 12(9):1 (1992); Guatelli et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:1874-1878 (1990); and Weiss, R., Science, 254: 1292 (1991).

[0038] Genomic DNA is generally used in the analysis of sulfotransferase nucleotide sequence variants. Genomic DNA is typically extracted from peripheral blood samples, but can be extracted from such tissues as mucosal scrapings of the lining of the mouth or from renal or hepatic tissue. Routine methods can be used to extract genomic DNA from a blood or tissue sample, including, for example, phenol extraction. Alternatively, genomic DNA can be extracted with kits such as the QIAamp® Tissue Kit (Qiagen, Chatsworth, Calif.), Wizard® Genomic DNA purification kit (Promega, Madison, Wis.) and the A.S.A.P.™ Genomic DNA isolation kit (Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, Ind.).

[0039] For example, exons and introns of the sulfotransferase gene can be amplified through PCR and then directly sequenced. This method can be varied, including using dye primer sequencing to increase the accuracy of detecting heterozygous samples. Alternatively, a nucleic acid molecule can be selectively hybridized to the PCR product to detect a gene variant. Hybridization conditions are selected such that the nucleic acid molecule can specifically bind the sequence of interest, e.g., the variant nucleic acid sequence. Such hybridizations typically are performed under high stringency as some sequence variants include only a single nucleotide difference. High stringency conditions can include the use of low ionic strength solutions and high temperatures for washing. For example, nucleic acid molecules can be hybridized at 42° C. in 2×SSC (0.3M NaCl/0.03 M sodium citrate/0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and washed in 0.1×SSC (0.015M NaCl/0.0015 M sodium citrate), 0.1% SDS at 65° C. Hybridization conditions can be adjusted to account for unique features of the nucleic acid molecule, including length and sequence composition.

[0040] Allele-specific restriction digests can be performed in the following manner. For example, if a nucleotide sequence variant introduces a restriction site, restriction digest with the particular restriction enzyme can differentiate the alleles. For SULT1 variants that do not alter a common restriction site, primers can be designed that introduce a restriction site when the variant allele is present, or when the wild-type allele is present. For example, the SULT1A*2 allele does not have an altered restriction site. A KasI site can be introduced in all SULT1A1 alleles, except SULT1A*2, using a mutagenic primer (e.g., 5′CCA CGG TCT CCT CTG GCA GGG GG 3′, SEQ ID NO:1). A portion of SULT1A1 alleles can be amplified using the mutagenic primer and a primer having, for example, the nucleotide sequence of 5′ GTT GAG GAG TTG GCT CTG CAG GGT C 3′ (SEQ ID NO:2). A KasI digest of SULT1A1 alleles, other than SULT1A2, yield restriction products of about 173 base pairs (bp) and about 25 bp. In contrast, the SULT1A*2 allele is not cleaved, and thus yields a restriction product of about 198 bp.

[0041] The SULT1A2*2 allele can be detected using a similar strategy. For example, an additional StyI site can be introduced in the SULT1A2*2 allele using the mutagenic primer 5′ CAC GTA CTC CAG TGG CGG GCC CTA G 3′ (SEQ ID NO:3). Upon amplification of a portion of the SULT1A2 alleles using the mutagenic primer and a primer having the nucleotide sequence of 5′ GGA ACC ACC ACA TTA GAA C 3′ (SEQ ID NO:4), a StyI digest yields restriction products of 89 bp, 119 bp and 25 bp for SULT1A2*2. The other SULT1A2 alleles described herein yield restriction products of 89 bp and 144 bp.

[0042] Certain variants, such as the insertion within intron 3 of the SULT1A3 gene discussed above, change the size of the DNA fragment encompassing the variant. The insertion of nucleotides can be assessed by amplifying the region encompassing the variant and determining the size of the amplified products in comparison with size standards. For example, the intron 3 region of the SULT1A3 gene can be amplified using a primer set from either side of the variant. One of the primers is typically labeled, for example, with a fluorescent moiety, to facilitate sizing. The amplified products can be electrophoresed through acrylamide gels using a set of size standards that are labeled with a fluorescent moiety that differs from the primer.

[0043] PCR conditions and primers can be developed that amplify a product only when the variant allele is present or only when the wild-type allele is present (MSPCR or allele-specific PCR). For example, patient DNA and a control can be amplified separately using either a wild-type primer or a primer specific for the variant allele. Each set of reactions is then examined for the presence of amplification products using standard methods to visualize the DNA. For example, the reactions can be electrophoresed through an agarose gel and DNA visualized by staining with ethidium bromide or other DNA intercalating dye. In DNA samples from heterozygous patients, reaction products would be detected in each reaction. Patient samples containing solely the wild-type allele would have amplification products only in the reaction using the wild-type primer. Similarly, patient samples containing solely the variant allele would have amplification products only in the reaction using the variant primer.

[0044] Mismatch cleavage methods also can be used to detect differing sequences by PCR amplification, followed by hybridization with the wild-type sequence and cleavage at points of mismatch. Chemical reagents, such as carbodiimide or hydroxylamine and osmium tetroxide can be used to modify mismatched nucleotides to facilitate cleavage.

[0045] Alternatively, sulfotransferase nucleotide sequence variants can be detected by antibodies that have specific binding affinity for variant sulfotransferase polypeptides. Variant sulfotransferase polypeptides can be produced in various ways, including recombinantly. The genomic nucleic acid sequences of SULT1A1 , SULT1A2 and SULT1A3 have GenBank accession numbers of U52852, U34804 and U20499, respectively. Amino acid changes can be introduced by standard techniques including oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis and site-directed mutagenesis through PCR. See, Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, Chapter 8, Green Publishing Associates and John Wiley & Sons, Edited by Ausubel, F. M et al., 1992.

[0046] A nucleic acid sequence encoding a sulfotransferase variant polypeptide can be ligated into an expression vector and used to transform a bacterial or eukaryotic host cell. In general, nucleic acid constructs include a regulatory sequence operably linked to a sulfotransferase nucleic acid sequence. Regulatory sequences do not typically encode a gene product, but instead affect the expression of the nucleic acid sequence. In bacterial systems, a strain of Escherichia coli such as BL-21 can be used. Suitable E. coli vectors include the pGEX series of vectors that produce fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST). Transformed E. coli are typically grown exponentially, then stimulated with isopropylthiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) prior to harvesting. In general, such fusion proteins are soluble and can be purified easily from lysed cells by adsorption to glutathione-agarose beads followed by elution in the presence of free glutathione. The pGEX vectors are designed to include thrombin or factor Xa protease cleavage sites so that the cloned target gene product can be released from the GST moiety.

[0047] In eukaryotic host cells, a number of viral-based expression systems can be utilized to express sulfotransferase variant polypeptides. A nucleic acid encoding a sulfotransferase variant polypeptide can be cloned into, for example, a baculoviral vector and then used to transfect insect cells. Alternatively, the nucleic acid encoding a sulfotransferase variant can be introduced into a SV40, retroviral or vaccinia based viral vector and used to infect host cells.

[0048] Mammalian cell lines that stably express sulfotransferase variant polypeptides can be produced by using expression vectors with the appropriate control elements and a selectable marker. For example, the eukaryotic expression vector pCR3. 1 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) is suitable for expression of sulfotransferase variant polypeptides in, for example, COS cells. Following introduction of the expression vector by electroporation, DEAE dextran, or other suitable method, stable cell lines are selected. Alternatively, amplified sequences can be ligated into a mammalian expression vector such as pcDNA3 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) and then transcribed and translated in vitro using wheat germ extract or rabbit reticulocyte lysate.

[0049] Sulfotransferase variant polypeptides can be purified by known chromatographic methods including DEAE ion exchange, gel filtration and hydroxylapatite chromatography. Van Loon, J. A. and R. M. Weinshilboum, Drug Metab. Dispos., 18:632-638 (1990); Van Loon, J. A. et al., Biochem. Pharmacol., 44:775-785 (1992).

[0050] Various host animals can be immunized by injection of a sulfotransferase variant polypeptide. Host animals include rabbits, chickens, mice, guinea pigs and rats. Various adjuvants that can be used to increase the immunological response depend on the host species and include Freund's adjuvant (complete and incomplete), mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanin and dinitrophenol. Polyclonal antibodies are heterogenous populations of antibody molecules that are contained in the sera of the immunized animals. Monoclonal antibodies, which are homogeneous populations of antibodies to a particular antigen, can be prepared using a sulfotransferase variant polypeptide and standard hybridoma technology. In particular, monoclonal antibodies can be obtained by any technique that provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture such as described by Kohler, G. et al., Nature, 256:495 (1975), the human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kosbor et al., Immunology Today, 4:72 (1983); Cole et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 80:2026 (1983)), and the EBV-hybridoma technique (Cole et al., “Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy”, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96 (1983). Such antibodies can be of any immunoglobulin class including IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, IgD and any subclass thereof. The hybridoma producing the monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be cultivated in vitro and in vivo.

[0051] Antibody fragments that have specific binding affinity for a sulfotransferase variant polypeptide can be generated by known techniques. For example, such fragments include but are not limited to F(ab′)₂ fragments that can be produced by pepsin digestion of the antibody molecule, and Fab fragments that can be generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of F(ab′)₂ fragments. Alternatively, Fab expression libraries can be constructed. See, for example, Huse et al., Science, 246:1275 (1989). Once produced, antibodies or fragments thereof are tested for recognition of sulfotransferase variant polypeptides by standard immunoassay methods including ELISA techniques, radioimmunoassays and Western blotting. See, Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, Chapter 11, Green Publishing Associates and John Wiley & Sons, Edited by Ausubel, F. M et al., 1992.

[0052] The invention will be further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

EXAMPLES

[0053] 1.0 Methods and Materials

[0054] 1.1 Tissue Samples

[0055] Human hepatic “surgical waste” tissue was obtained from 61 patients undergoing clinically-indicated hepatectomies or open hepatic biopsies and was stored at −80° C. These frozen hepatic tissue samples were homogenized in 5 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 6.5, and centrifuged at 100,000×g for 1 hr to obtain high-speed supernatant (HSS) cytosolic preparations. Campbell, N. R. C. et al., Biochem. Pharmacol., 36:1435-1446 (1987). Platelet samples were obtained from blood samples from 905 members of 134 randomly selected families at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. All tissue samples were obtained under guidelines approved by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board.

[0056] 1.2 PST Enzyme Activity, Thermal Stability and Inhibitor Sensitivity

[0057] TS PST enzyme activity was measured with an assay that involves the sulfate conjugation of substrate, in this case 4-nitrophenol, in the presence of [³⁵S]-3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS), the sulfate donor for the reaction. See, Campbell, N. R. C. et al., Biochem. Pharmacol., 36:1435-1446 (1987). Blanks were samples that did not contain sulfate acceptor substrate. Unless otherwise stated, concentrations of 4-nitrophenol and PAPS were 4 μM and 0.4 μM, respectively. Substrate kinetic experiments were conducted in the presence of a series of concentrations of 4-nitrophenol and PAPS to make it possible to calculate apparent K_(m) values. Enzyme activity was expressed as nmoles of sulfate conjugated product formed per hr of incubation. Protein concentrations were measured by the dye-binding method of Bradford with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a standard.

[0058] Enzyme thermal stability was determined as described by Reiter and Weinshilboum, Clin. Pharmacol. Ther., 32:612-621 (1982). Specifically, hepatic HSS preparations or platelet preparations were thawed, diluted and were then either subjected to thermal inactivation for 15 min at 44° C. or were kept on ice as a control. In these experiments; heated over control (H/C) ratios were used as a measure of thermal stability. The thermal stability of recombinant proteins was measured by incubating diluted, transfected COS-1 cell HSS for 15 min in a Perkin Elmer 2400 thermal cycler at a series of temperatures. All samples were placed on ice immediately after the thermal inactivation step, and PST activity was measured in both heated and control samples. Thermal inactivation curves were then constructed for each recombinant protein by plotting SULT activity expressed as a percentage of the control value. The concentration of 4-nitrophenol used to assay each of the recombinant proteins was determined on the basis of the results of the substrate kinetic experiments during which apparent K_(m) values had been determined. Those concentrations were: SULT1A1 (*1, *2, *3), 4 μM; SULT1A2, 100 μM; SULT1A2*2, 3 mM; SULT1A2*3, 50 μM; and SULT1A3, 3 mM.

[0059] DCNP inhibition was determined by measuring enzyme activity in the presence of a series of DCNP concentrations dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide. Blank samples for those experiments contained the appropriate concentration of DCNP, but no sulfate acceptor substrate. The concentration of 4-nitrophenol used to study each recombinant protein was the same as was used in the thermal stability experiments. All assays for the determination of apparent K_(m) values, thermal stability or DCNP inhibition were performed in triplicate, and all experiments were performed at least three times, i.e., each of the data points shown subsequently represents the average of at least nine separate assays.

[0060] 1.3 PCR Amplification and DNA Sequencing

[0061] Total genomic DNA was isolated from the human liver biopsy samples with a QIAamp Tissue Kit (Qiagen, Inc., Chatsworth, Calif.). In addition, genomic DNA was isolated from 150 randomly selected Caucasian blood donors at the Mayo Clinic Blood Blank. Gene-specific primers for the PCR were designed by comparing the sequences of SULT1A1 , SULT1A2, and SULT1A3 (Genbank accession numbers U52852, U34804 and U20499, respectively) and identifying intron sequences that differed among the three genes. These gene-specific primers were then used to amplify, in three separate segments for each gene, the coding regions of either SULT1A1 or SULT1A2 (FIG. 2). To assure specificity, an initial long PCR amplification was performed using oligonucleotide primers that annealed to unique sequences present in the 5′-and 3′-flanking regions of each gene. Those long PCR products were then used as templates for the subsequent PCR reactions to amplify coding regions of the genes. Sequences of the PCR primers used to perform these experiments are listed in Table 1. In Table 1, “I” represents “intron”, “F” represents “forward”, “R” represents “reverse” and “D” (“downstream”) represents 3′-flanking region of the gene.

[0062] DNA sequencing was performed with single-stranded DNA as template to help assure the detection of heterozygous samples. To make that possible, single-stranded DNA was generated by exonuclease digestion of either the sense or antisense strand of the double-stranded PCR amplification products. Phosphorothioate groups were conjugated to the 5′-end of either the forward or reverse PCR primer, depending on which of the two strands was to be protected from exonuclease digestion. Specifically, the PCR amplification of gene segments was performed in a 50 μl reaction mixture using Amplitaq Gold DNA polymerase (Perkin Elmer). Digestion of the non-phosphorothioated strand involved incubation of 16 μl of the post-amplification reaction mixture with 20 units of T7 gene 6 exonuclease (United States Biochemical, Cleveland, Ohio) in 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.5, containing 200 μM DTT and 20 μg/ml BSA. This mixture was incubated at 37° C. for 4 hr, followed by inactivation of the exonuclease by incubation at 80° C. for 15 min. The resulting single stranded DNA was used as a sequencing template after PCR primers and salts had been removed with a Microcon-100 microconcentrator (Amicon, Beverly, Mass.). DNA sequencing was performed in the Mayo Clinic Molecular Biology Core Facility with an ABI Model 377 sequencer (Perkin Elmer, Foster City, Calif.) using dye terminator cycler sequencing chemistry. TABLE 1 PCR Primers Seq PRIMER REACTION PRIMER ID SEQUENCE (5′ to 3′) SULT1A1 Gene-Specific Amplifications Long PCR 1AF(−119)  5 CCTGGAGACCTTCACACACCCTGATA DR3296  6 CCACTCTGCCTGGCCCACAATCATA Segment 1 I1AF11  7 GCTGGGGAACCACCGCATTAGAG I4R83  8 AACTCCCAACCTCACGTGATCTG Segment 2 I4F1018  9 CCTCAGGTTCCTCCTTTGCCAAT I6R93 10 TGCCAAGGGAGGGGGCTGGGTGA Segment 3 I6F395 11 GTTGAGGAGTTGGCTCTGCAGGGTC DR3296 12 CCACTCTGCCTGGCCCACAATCATA SULT1A2 Gene-Specific Amplifications Long PCR 1AF(−90) 13 GGGCCCCGTTCCACGAGGGTGCTTTC AC DR4590 14 TGACCCCACTAGGAAGGGAGTCAGCA CCCCTACT Segment 1 I1AF16 15 GGAACCACCACATTAGAAC I4R86 16 TGGAACTTCTGGCTTCAAGGGATCT Segment 2 I4F1117 17 CCTCAGCTTCCTCCTTTGCCAAA I6R81 18 TGGCTGGGTGGCCTTGGC Segment 3 I6F688 19 GCTGGCTCTATGGGTTTTGAAGT DR4094 20 CTGGAGCGGGGAGGTGGCCGTATT SULT1A3 Gene-Specific Amplifications Long PCR TL F2 21 AATGCCCGCAACAGTGCCTGCTGCAT AGAG TL R3 22 ACGCTGCCCGGCGGACTCGACGTCCT CCACCATCTT Segment 1 I1AF1329 23 GAGAATCCCACTTTCTTGCTGTT I4R171 24 GGGAACAGTCTATGCCACCATAC Segment 2 I4F1308 25 GGTTCCTCCTTTGCCAGTTCAAC I6R240 26 GGACTAAGTATCTGATCCGTGG Segment 3 I6F405 27 GGGCCCCAGGGGTTGAGGCTCTT DR3666 28 ATATGTGGCCCCACCGGGCATTC

[0063] 1.4 COS-1 Cell Expression

[0064] Seven different SULT expression constructs were used to transfect COS-1 cells. These constructs included cDNA sequences for all of the common SULT1A1 and 1A2 allozymes observed during the present experiments, 1A1*1, 1A1*2, 1A1*3, 1A2*1, 1A2*2, and 1A2*3, as well as SULT1A3. As a control, transfection was also performed with expression vector that lacked an insert. All SULT cDNA sequences used to create the expression constructs had either been cloned in our laboratory (SULT1A1*2, SULT1A2*2, SULT1A3), were obtained from the Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) database and American Type Culture Collection (SULT1A1*3, SULT1A2*1) or were created by site directed mutagenesis (SULT1A1*1, SULT1A2*3). Each SULT cDNA was then amplified with the PCR and was subcloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pCR3.1 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.). All inserts were sequenced after subcloning to assure that no variant sequence had been introduced during the PCR amplifications. COS-1 cells were then transfected with these expression constructs by use of the DEAE-dextran method. After 48 hr in culture, the transfected cells were harvested and cytosols were prepared as described by Wood, T. C. et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 198:1119-1127 (1994). Aliquots of these cytosol preparations were stored at −80° C. prior to assay.

[0065] 1.5 Data Analysis

[0066] Apparent K_(m) values were calculated by using the method of Wilkion with a computer program written by Cleland. Wilkinson, G. N., Biochem. J., 80:324-332 (1961); and Cleland; W. W., Nature, 198:463-365 (1963). IC₅₀ values and 50% thermal inactivation (T₅₀) values were calculated with the GraphPAD InPlot program (GraphPAD InPlot Software, San Diego, Calif.). Statistical comparisons of data were performed by ANOVA with the StatView program, version 4.5 (Abacus Concepts, Inc., Berkeley, Calif.). Linkage analysis was performed using the EH program developed by Terwilliger and Ott, Handbook of Human Genetic Linkage, The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pp. 188-193 (1994).

[0067] 2.0

[0068] The experiments were performed in an attempt to identify common variant alleles for SULT1A1 and SULT1A2, to determine the biochemical and physical properties of allozymes encoded by common alleles for SULT1A2 and SULT1A1 and to determine whether those alleles might by systematically associated with variation in TS PST phenotype in an important drug-metabolizing organ, the human liver. To achieve these goals, a stepwise strategy was utilized that took advantage of the availability of a “bank” of human hepatic biopsy samples which could be phenotyped for level of TS PST activity and thermal stability. DNA sequence information was available for each of the three known human PST genes (SULT1A1 , SULT1A2 and SULT1A3). SULT1A1 and SULT1A2 are located in close proximity within a 50 kb region on human chromosome 16. Raftogianis, R. et al., Pharmacogenetics, 6:473-487 (1996).

[0069] All exons for both SULT1A1 and SULT1A2 were sequenced using DNA from 150 platelet samples and 61 hepatic tissue samples to detect nucleotide polymorphisms and to determine whether there were significant correlations between genotypes for SULT1A2 and/or SULT1A1 and TS PST phenotype.

[0070] 2.1 SULT1A2 and SULT1A1 Genetic Polymorphisms

[0071] All exons encoding protein for both SULT1A2 and SULT1A1 were PCR amplified in three segments (FIG. 2), and were then sequenced on both strands. Approximately 2 kb of DNA was sequenced for each gene. Therefore, a total of approximately 300 kB and 250 kB of sequence was analyzed for the 150 platelet samples and 61 hepatic biopsy samples, respectively. Thirteen different SULT1A2 alleles were observed among the 122 alleles sequenced in the 61 biopsy samples. These alleles resulted from various combinations of ten different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (Table 2A). In Table 2A, numbers at the top indicate the nucleotide position within the ORF, in which 1=the “A” in the “ATG” start codon; or introns, in which an “I” followed by a numeral indicates the location of the nucleotide within the intron (i.e., I2-34 is the 34th nucleotide from the 5′-end of intron 2). Nucleotides shown as white type against a black background alter the encoded amino acid. Nucleotides 895 and 902 lie within the 3′-UTR of the SULT1A2 mRNA. The values shown in the right-hand column indicate allele frequencies in the 61 hepatic biopsy samples.

[0072] Four of the SULT1A2 SNPs altered the encoded amino acid, resulting in six different SULT1A2 allozymes, three of which appeared to be “common” (frequency≧1%, Table 2B). In Table 2B, numbers at the top indicate amino acid position from the N-terminus. The right-hand column indicates allozyme frequencies in the 61 hepatic biopsy samples studies. The other three alleles were observed only once, but their existence was confirmed by independent PCR and sequencing reactions. The allele nomenclature used here assigns different numerals after the * to alleles that encode different allozymes, with a subsequent alphabetic designation for alleles that also differ with regard to “silent” SNPs. Since population data was obtained, numeric assignments were not made randomly, but rather could be assigned on the basis of relative allele frequency in the population sample studied, i.e., *1 was more frequent than *2, *2 was more common than was *3, etc. TABLE 2A SULT1A2 ALLELES Allozyme Exon Exon Exon Exon Frequency II VI VII VIII 61 Hepatic 20 24 56 I2-34 I5-78 506 704 I7-9 895 902 Biopsy Samples *1A T T C T T C A C T A 0.467 *1B T T C T C C A C T A 0.025 *1C T T C C C C A C T A 0.008 *1D T T C T C C A C C A 0.008 *2A C C C C C C C C C G 0.262 *2B C C C T C C C C C G 0.016 *2C C C C C C C C T C G 0.008 *3A T T T T C C A C T A 0.156 *3B T T T T T C A C T A 0.016 *3C T T T T C C A T T A 0.008 *4 C C C C C T C C C G 0.008 *5 C C C C C C A C C G 0.008 *6 T T C T T C C C C G 0.008

[0073] TABLE 2B SULT1A2 ALLOZYMES Allozyme Frequency Amino Acid 61 Hepatic Allozyme 7 19 184 235 Biopsy Samples *1 Ile Pro Arg Asn 0.508 *2 Thr Pro Arg Thr 0.287 *3 Ile Leu Arg Asn 0.180 *4 Thr Pro Cys Thr 0.008 *5 Thr Pro Arg Asn 0.008 *6 Ile Pro Arg Thr 0.008

[0074] Thirteen different SULT1A1 alleles were detected in the platelet samples. These alleles encoded four different allozymes for SULT1A1 (Table 3). In Table 3, numbers at the top indicate the nucleotide position within the ORF, in which 1=the “A” in the “ATG” start codon; or introns, in which an “I” followed by a numeral indicates the intron number, and the number after the dash indicates the location of the nucleotide within the intron (i.e., I5-34 is the 34th nucleotide from the 5′-end of the 5th intron). Nucleotides 902 and 973 lie within the 3′-UTR of the SULT1A1 mRNA. The values in the right-hand columns indicate allele frequencies in the 61 hepatic biopsy samples studied or in DNA from 150 randomly selected Caucasian blood donors.

[0075] The 61 liver samples contained 10 of the 13 SULT1A1 alleles identified in platelets, and encoded three of the four SULT1A1 allozymes. Alleles SULT1A1*1G, *1H, *1I, *3A and *4 were not present in these liver samples, but two novel SULT1A1 alleles, *1J and *1K, were detected, bringing the total number of SULT1A1 alleles identified to fifteen. These fifteen alleles involve various permutations of 24 individual SNPs located within the approximately 2 kb of SULT1A1 DNA sequenced (Table 4). TABLE 3 SULT1A1 SNP SULT1A1 ALLELES Exon Exon II III Allele I1A-I38 57 110 153 162 I5-34 I5-35 I6-11 I6-14 I6-17 I6-35 I6-45 I6-64 I6-488 *1A T G G T A C G C T A A C A T *1B T G G T A C A G C T T A G T *1C T A G C G C G C T A A C A C *1D C G G T A C G C T A A C A T *1E T G G T A C A G C T T A G T *1F C G G T A C A G C T T A G T *1G T G G T A C G G C T T A G T *1H T A G C G C G C T A A C A T *1I T A G T A C G C T A A C A T *1J T A G C G C G C T A A C A C *1K T G G C G C G C T A A C A C *2 T G G C G C G C T A A C A C *3A T G G T A C G C T A A C A T *3B T G G T A T A G C T T A G T *4 T A A T A C A G C T T A G T Allele Allele Frequency Frequency Exon Exon 61 Hepatic 150 Random VII VIII Biopsy Blood Allele I6-509 600 638 645 667 I7-16 I7-69 I7-120 902 973 Samples Donors *1A G G G G A C T C A C 0.328 0.303 *1B G G G G A C T C A C 0.221 0.237 *1C A C G A A C C C A T 0.041 0.040 *1D G G G G A C T C A C 0.016 0.027 *1E G G G G A C T G A C 0.016 0.020 *1F G G G G A C T C A C 0.033 0.017 *1G G G G G A C T C A C N.D. 0.010 *1H G G G G A C C C A C N.D. 0.010 *1I G G G G A C T C A C N.D. 0.007 *1J A C G G A C C C G T 0.008 N.D. *1K A C G A A C C C A C 0.008 N.D. *2 A C A G A T C C G T 0.311 0.313 *3A G G G G G C T C A C N.D. 0.007 *3B G G G G G C T C A C 0.016 0.003 *4 G G G G A C T C A C N.D. 0.003

[0076] TABLE 4 SULT1A1 ALLOZYMES Allozyme Allozyme Frequency Frequency Amino Acid 61 Hepatic 150 Random Allozyme 37 213 223 Biopsy Samples Blood Donors *1 Arg Arg Met 0.671 0.674 *2 Arg His Met 0.311 0.313 *3 Arg Arg Val 0.016 0.010 *4 Gln Arg Met N.D. 0.003

[0077] The newly discovered alleles for SULT1A2 appeared to be in linkage disequilibrium with alleles for SULT1A1. SULT1A1*1 and *3 were linked to SULT1A2*1 and *3 while SULT1A1*2 was linked to SULT1A2*2. In this analysis, the hypothesis of no association between the two polymorphisms was rejected, but the hypothesis of association was supported with x²=53.83 (p<0.0001). Of the 122 sets of 1A1/1A2 alleles sequenced for each gene, only ten displayed discordance. The linkage disequilibrium complicated attempts to determine which of these two gene products might be responsible for phenol SULT phenotype. Therefore, to clarify possible genotype-phenotype correlations for these enzymes, biochemical and physical properties of the proteins encoded by all common alleles for SULT1A1 and SULT1A2 were determined.

[0078] 2.2 COS-1 Cell Expression of SULT1A1and SULT1A2 Allozymes

[0079] Expression constructs for each of the common (frequencies≧1%) allozymes for SULT1A1 and SULT1A2 were used to transfect COS-1 cells. Selected biochemical and physical properties of the expressed enzymes were then determined. Those properties included apparent K_(m) values for the two cosubstrates for the enzyme reaction (4-nitrophenol and PAPS); thermal stability; and sensitivity to inhibition by DCNP. The substrate kinetic experiments were performed in two steps. Initially a wide range of concentrations of 4-nitrophenol that varied over at least three orders of magnitude was tested, followed by detailed study of concentrations close to the apparent K_(m) value for that allozyme. Concentrations of 4-nitrophenol that were used to calculate apparent K_(m) values ranged from 0.02 to 5.0 μM for SULT1A1*1, 1A1*2 and 1A1*3; 0.08 to 10.0 μM for SULT1A2*1 and 1A2*3; 1.0 to 1000 μM for SULT1A2*2; and 3.9 to 3000 μM for SULT1A3. Data from these experiments were then used to construct double inverse plots that were used to calculate apparent K_(m) values (Table 5). The results of the substrate kinetic studies suggested that TS PST phenotype in human liver might be due primarily to the expression of SULT1A1, since optimal conditions for the assay of TS PST activity in the human liver involved the use of 4 μM 4-nitrophenol as a substrate. See, Campbell, N. R. C. et al., Biochem. Pharmacol., 36:1435-1446 (1987). This concentration would be optimal for assay of the activities of allozymes encoded by alleles for SULT1A1, but was below the apparent K_(m) values for all of the SULT1A2 allozymes. Of particular importance for the genotype-phenotype correlation analysis described subsequently is the fact that SULT1A2*2 has a very high apparent K_(m) value for 4-nitrophenol (Table 5).

[0080] Apparent K_(m) values of the recombinant SULTs for PAPS were also determined. In those studies, as well as in the thermal stability and DCNP inhibition experiments, the concentrations of 4-nitrophenol used to perform the assays were 4 μM for SULT1A1*1, *2, and *3; 100 μM for SULT1A2*1; 50 μM for 1A2*3; and 3000 μM for SULT1A2*2 and SULT1A3. These concentrations were based on results of the 4-nitrophenol substrate kinetic experiments and represented the concentration at which maximal activity had been observed for that particular allozyme. Apparent K_(m) values of the recombinant SULT proteins for PAPS are also listed in Table 5. With one exception, those values varied from approximately 0.2 to 1.2 μM. The single exception was SULT1TA2*1, with an apparent K_(m) value approximately an order of magnitude lower than those of the other enzymes studied (Table 5). Each value in Table 5 represents the mean±SEM of nine separate determinations.

[0081] The thermal stabilities of the seven expressed proteins were also determined and varied widely. The rank order of the thermal stabilities was 1A2*2>1A2*1>>1A1*1≃1A1*3≃1A2*3>1A1*2>>1A3 (Table 5). These observations were consistent with experiments described herein that indicated that SULT1A1*2 was associated with a “thermolabile” phenotype in the platelet (FIG. 1) since that allele had the lowest T₅₀ value of the recombinant “TS-PST-like” allozymes studied (Table 5). It is unlikely that allozyme SULT1A2*2 could explain a “thermolabile” phenotype since it was the most “thermostable” of the allozymes studied.

[0082] Finally, sensitivity of the recombinant proteins to inhibition by DCNP was determined. Sixteen different concentrations of DCNP, ranging from 0.01 to 1000 μM, were tested with each recombinant allozyme. IC₅₀ values for DCNP also varied widely, with SULT1A2*3 being most, and SULT1A3 least sensitive to inhibition (Table 5). After all of these data had been obtained, the final step in this series of experiments was an attempt to correlate human liver TS PST phenotype with SULT1A1 and/or SULT1A2 genotype. TABLE 5 RECOMBINANT HUMAN SULT BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES Thermal DCNP Apparent Km (μM) Stability Inhibition Allozyme 4-Nitrophenol PAPS T₅₀ (° C.) IC₅₀ (μM) SULT1A1 *1 0.88 ± 0.07 1.21 ± 0.02  39.3 ± 0.64 1.44 ± 0.11 *2 0.78 ± 0.08 0.98 ± 0.03  37.2 ± 0.43 1.38 ± 0.28 *3 0.31 ± 0.01 0.17 ± 0.02  38.9 ± 0.03 1.32 ± 0.27 SULT1A2 *1 8.70 ± 1.10 0.05 ± 0.001 43.6 ± 0.15 6.94 ± 0.55 *2 373 ± 33  0.50 ± 0.001 46.3 ± 0.09 44.4 ± 1.50 *3 5.65 ± 1.14 0.28 ± 0.006 38.8 ± 0.19  0.97 ± 0.001 SULT1A3 4960 ± 810  0.28 ± 0.001 32.6 ± 0.19 86.9 ± 6.00

[0083] 2.3 Human Liver Genotype-Phenotype Correlation

[0084] TS PST activity and thermal stability was measured in human platelet samples (n=905) and human liver biopsy samples (n=61). A scattergram of these data are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Subjects homozygous for the allele SULT1A1*2 uniformly had low levels of both TS PST activity and thermal stability in their platelets (FIG. 1B). The genotype-phenotype correlation for SULT1A1 in the liver samples is shown in FIG. 4A. Similar data for SULT1A2 are plotted in FIG. 4B. FIG. 4 demonstrates that the SULT1A1*2 allele appeared to be associated with low TS PST thermal stability in the liver, just as it was in the human blood platelet (FIG. 1B). For example, the average H/C ratio for samples homozygous for SULT1A1*1 was 0.57±0.01 (n=28, mean±SEM), while that for heterozygous 1A1*1/1A1*2 samples was 0.40±0.01 (n=24) and that for samples homozygous for SULT1A1*2 was 0.18±0.01 (n=7, p<0.001 by ANOVA). Table 6 summarizes this data. TABLE 6 SULT1A1 ALLOZYMES AND TS PST ACTIVITY Allozyme AA 213 N H/C Ratio N TS PST activity Platelet *1/*1 Arg/Arg 11 0.62 ± 0.03** 11 1.08 ± 0.25 *1/*2 Arg/His  8 0.53 ± 0.03**  9 0.90 ± 0.20 *2/*2 His/His 13 0.09 ± 0.02** 13 0.14 ± 0.01 Liver *1/*1 Arg/Arg 28^(a) 57.5 ± 1.31* 28^(a) 56.0 ± 3.05 *1/*2 Arg/His 24 40.5 ± 1.38* 24 56.8 ± 4.19 *2/*2 His/His  7 17.7 ± 1.44*  3^(b) 28.5 ± 2.27**

[0085] Although the SULT1A1*2 allele was highly correlated with low TS PST thermal stability in the liver, unlike the situation in the platelet, low thermal stability was not significantly correlated with low levels of TS PST activity (FIG. 4A). Of possible importance is the fact that, when the data were stratified on the basis of diagnosis, of the seven samples homozygous for SULT1A1*2, the three from patients with benign hepatic disease had the lowest levels of TS PST activity, while the four samples from patients with malignant disease had the highest activity (28.5±2.3 vs. 59.8±4.0, mean±SEM respectively, p<0.002).

[0086] The results of the substrate kinetic experiments (Table 5), as well as the results of the thermal stability studies suggested that TS PST phenotype, in the liver was most likely a measure of SULT1A1 expression. As pointed out previously, that was true because both K_(m) values for 4-nitrophenol and T₅₀ values for recombinant SULT1A2 allozymes were above those found to be optimal for the determination of TS PST phenotype in human liver cytosol preparations (Table 5). Testing that hypothesis directly is complicated by the fact that SULT1A1 and 1A2 share 95% or greater identity for both protein amino acid and mRNA nucleotide sequences; so neither Western nor Northern blots can easily distinguish between them. However, biochemical studies of recombinant SULT allozymes suggested that the sulfation of 100 μM 4-nitrophenol might represent a relatively specific measure of SULT1A2 activity (Table 5). As a result of the profound substrate inhibition which these enzymes display, SULT1A1 allozymes show little or no activity at that concentration, and SULT1A3 would not contribute significantly to activity measure at that concentration because of its very high K_(m) value for 4-nitrophenol (Table 6). Therefore, 100 μM 4-nitrophenol was used as a substrate with cytosol from six pooled liver samples in an attempt to measure SULT1A2 activity. However, after three attempts no activity was detected, suggesting that SULT1A2 is not highly expressed in the liver. Ozawa, S. et al., Chem. Biol. Interact., 109:237-248 (1998).

[0087] In summary, common genetic polymorphisms were observed for both SULT1A1 and SULT1A2 in humans. However, the proteins encoded by these alleles differed in their biochemical and physical properties. Recombinant SULT1A2*2 had a K_(m) value dramatically higher than did SULT1A2*1 or 1A2*3. The allele SULT1A1*2 was associated with decreased TS PST thermal stability in the liver and in the blood platelet. Unlike the situation in the platelet, SULT1A1 or SULT1A2 alleles identified in the hepatic tissues did not appear to be systematically associated with level of TS PST activity.

[0088] 2.4 SULT1A3 Polymorphisms

[0089] All exons and introns for SULT1A3 were sequenced using DNA from 150 random blood donor samples to detect nucleotide polymorphisms. Table 7 describes sequence variants. TABLE 7 Nucleotide Transition/Transversion and Position Within SULT1A3 Gene Exon 3 I3-83/84 Classification 105 Insertion I4-69 I6-69 I7-113 Wild Type A — G G G Variant G CAGT A A T

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0090] It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

1 52 1 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 1 ccacggtctc ctctggcagg ggg 23 2 25 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 2 gttgaggagt tggctctgca gggtc 25 3 25 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 3 cacgtactcc agtggcgggc cctag 25 4 18 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 4 ggaaccacca cattagaa 18 5 26 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 5 cctggagacc ttcacacacc ctgata 26 6 25 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 6 ccactctgcc tggcccacaa tcata 25 7 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 7 gctggggaac caccgcatta gag 23 8 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 8 aactcccaac ctcacgtgat ctg 23 9 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 9 cctcaggttc ctcctttgcc aat 23 10 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 10 tgccaaggga gggggctggg tga 23 11 25 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 11 gttgaggagt tggctctgca gggtc 25 12 25 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 12 ccactctgcc tggcccacaa tcata 25 13 28 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 13 gggccccgtt ccacgagggt gctttcac 28 14 34 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 14 tgaccccact aggaagggag tcagcacccc tact 34 15 19 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 15 ggaaccacca cattagaac 19 16 25 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 16 tggaacttct ggcttcaagg gatct 25 17 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 17 cctcagcttc ctcctttgcc aaa 23 18 18 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 18 tggctgggtg gccttggc 18 19 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 19 gctggctcta tgggttttga agt 23 20 24 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 20 ctggagcggg gaggtggccg tatt 24 21 30 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 21 aatgcccgca acagtgcctg ctgcatagag 30 22 36 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 22 acgctgcccg gcggactcga cgtcctccac catctt 36 23 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 23 gagaatccca ctttcttgct gtt 23 24 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 24 gggaacagtc tatgccacca tac 23 25 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 25 ggttcctcct ttgccagttc aac 23 26 22 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 26 ggactaagta tctgatccgt gg 22 27 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 27 gggccccagg ggttgaggct ctt 23 28 23 DNA Artificial Sequence primer 28 atatgtggcc ccaccgggca ttc 23 29 7152 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (3810)...(3956) CDS (4061)...(4186) CDS (4276)...(4374) CDS (5584)...(5709) CDS (5805)...(5900) CDS (6426)...(6605) CDS (6728)...(6837) 29 ttgctgccag ctgcctctcc ctccttgtct cttacctgcc tgctgcctgg gacaggatga 60 agcggggccc ttgtgttgcc ccaaccctgg ctgttggcta agagcccacg tgatctgcct 120 gtgagaggag ttccttccgg aagaaccagg gcagcttctg cccctagagg gccaatgccc 180 tagctgagtg cagtcccccg gccccagcct ggtccagctt tgggaagagg gtgcccagtt 240 gtgcaatcca ggccggggca gccgtgtcct gatcttggta ttcagggctg agcctggagg 300 gggcttgtga tgcctgactc tgtctccctc tctggcccca tgccttggta gctgtgaggc 360 gtcactgctt tgggtgacct gatctggctg tgatggatga gcacggggga aatagtggaa 420 gactcggaat tagaagacgt gagtgggctt tggccccagc ctccctaccc cactccctgt 480 cctgggctgc ctgtgaccaa cctcgtttct gcaggcacac tggatagccc tgctggagct 540 cagtgtccct aatcccctcc agatactggt ggcctagggg aggtcatcaa aaaccggtgg 600 gacatcgacc tcagcccgtt tccacgcttt tttttgtttt tttttttttt ttgagaccga 660 gtttcactct tgttgcccag gctggagtgc aatggcgtga tcttggctca ccgcaacctc 720 cgcctcctgg gttcaagcga ttctcctgcc tcagcctccc aagtagctgg gattccaggc 780 gtgtgccacc aggcttgact aattttctat ttttagtaga gacaaggttt ctccatgttg 840 gtcaggctgg tctcaaactc ccgacttcag gtgatctgcc tgcctcggcc ccccaaagtg 900 ctgggattac aggagtgagc caccgtgcca ggccttctcc aggctcttgg caccttagcc 960 agaaacaatt taaggacaag tgcaaaagtc atgaatgtag gcagatttcc tgcagagtaa 1020 agggactcac tcaagaagag gaacgtgggg gtcctcaaga gagtgtctca tgccctacaa 1080 ggtgtggggc tgacctttat gggcttcttc aactaaagag gggtatattc atgaagagtc 1140 caggaaaagg taaagatttc tcaagaccgt ggtgccacaa tttacaccca aatacaggtg 1200 ttcctggagc cgtcttggca ctggtgggtg tacggtttca tatgttactg atcatacaat 1260 gagatcctag gtgaaaccta catcaaatac agcgccatgt tgtgtctggt tggtcgtggc 1320 cagcttggtc ctcatcctat ttttcaggga cttattggcc cttagcgcat gcagctattt 1380 caagtttcct tcttctcctc atgtgaaact gctgcctggg attttgtatt cacttgctac 1440 cactctatta atctcacatt ctcgcctctt ttctgtgtca ccccgtgtgg gtccgacagg 1500 ttgttactag agtgcaatac aaagtcttag tcaagggaac ctcctgaggg ttgctgaggg 1560 caggggtgga gctagtagcc tgaggacctg ccagtcacgg ggattcctca tgggcacaga 1620 ggagggagga ggggtccatg gccctagcat atgagaagcc tctcctctgc ctggaattcc 1680 catgcctcag cttcccccac actcccacct gtccgcttgc ctctgaactc acgcatttct 1740 tggaagtctt gggagattca cctttactca gatggttgtt tacctgtctc gtgcacagct 1800 tgaccttgga ctttaaagtg aggataaaga acgaggagga tggggggatg ccccccttcc 1860 acgggccctg tggcttccaa acctcggcct cctctggtct cttgtctgtg gagcctcctt 1920 caaacccagg gaaataaaac cacctgccac gggttgtggt tcttctagga tcttctatca 1980 atgttctctg aggtccccag gagccatgaa gctggggctg actcccaggg caatgggact 2040 gcagtgtcct tgttctttct tgttctatgc atccatgctc tgctccaccc ctgccccttc 2100 actctgccca cacacatccc tctagactgg ccttgtggtc agagcctgga gtgcatgggc 2160 tgctgggggc ctgtgggctg cactgggcca gaacccctgg caccttcaag actggcctgg 2220 agccagcagg taggtgacct ttccagggcc tgcctatccc agctttctcc tccaatccct 2280 cccctctctt gcctgggtca attagagaga gcttgtctgt tggctgcctg gcggggtgga 2340 gttcaggggc aggtcaggag cccagtgaca gctcggaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa 2400 cagaaaaaaa aacctacaaa aacaaaccca ccattgggcc tttccccttt cattcttctg 2460 ttttctacac agcaaactca gtcgtggctt tggagatcac tttaagcttg tctccagctg 2520 gcacactaag gagggtaatg gagaagctcc cccaccccca accccacccc ttccttccgg 2580 aagcaaatct aagtccagcc ccggctccag atccctccca cagtggacct aggaaaccct 2640 cagctcagag aacaaccctg cattccccac acagcaccca caatcagcca ctgcgggcga 2700 ggagggcacg aggccaggtt cccaagagct caggtgagtg acacagtgga acggcccagg 2760 gcgccctcac cctgctcagc ttgtggctct aacattccag aagctgaggc ctctggcatc 2820 cctgcccttt ccccatggat atcccatttc agacaaccct ggcctgcgtg aatccccctc 2880 ccttcccttg tttgtttgtt tttttccccg ggggaggcca ggtcttgctg tcacccaggc 2940 tggagtgctg tgggatcctg gccactgcag ccttgaattc ctgggctcaa gtgattctct 3000 tgccacagcc tctggagtag ctaggactac aggccctcat catcctgcct ggttaatgtt 3060 taagaatttt tttaaagatt tttagagatg gggtcttgca atgctgcacc aggttggtct 3120 ccaactcctg gcctcagcct ccctagggtc tgggattata ggtgggagcc accctgccta 3180 ggcctgtgct tttgctgagt catcagagtt ttgttcattc ccacagcagc tctggcccct 3240 agtagcagct cagttcctca atgggccgtg tttgtcctgg agcccagatg gactgtggcc 3300 aggcaagtgg atcacaggcc tggctggcct gggcggtttc cacatgtgag gggctgaggg 3360 gctcaaggag gggagcatct ccactgggtg gaggctgggg gtcccagcag gaaatggtga 3420 gacaaagggc gctggctggc agggagacag cacaggaagg tcctagagct tcctcagtgc 3480 agctggactc tcctggagac cttcacacac cctgatatct gggccttgcc cgacgagggt 3540 gctttcactg gtctgcacca tggcccaggc cctgggattt tgaacagctc cgcaggtgaa 3600 tgaaaggtga ggccaggctg gggaaccacc gcattagagc ccgacctggt tttcagcccc 3660 agccccgcca ctgactggct ttgtgagtgc gggcaagtca ctcagcctcc ctaggcctca 3720 gtgacttccc tgaaagcaag aattccactt tcttgctgtt gtgatggtgg taagggaacg 3780 ggcctggctc tggcccctga cgcaggaac atg gag ctg atc cag gac acc tcc 3833 Met Glu Leu Ile Gln Asp Thr Ser 1 5 cgc ccg cca ctg gag tac gtg aag ggg gtc ccg ctc atc aag tac ttt 3881 Arg Pro Pro Leu Glu Tyr Val Lys Gly Val Pro Leu Ile Lys Tyr Phe 10 15 20 gca gag gca ctg ggg ccc ctg cag agc ttc cag gcc cgg cct gat gac 3929 Ala Glu Ala Leu Gly Pro Leu Gln Ser Phe Gln Ala Arg Pro Asp Asp 25 30 35 40 ctg ctc atc agc acc tac ccc aag tcc ggtaagtgag gagggccacc 3976 Leu Leu Ile Ser Thr Tyr Pro Lys Ser 45 caccctctcc caggtggcag tccccacctt ggccagcgag gtcgtgccct cagcctgctc 4036 accccccatc tccctccctc tcca ggc acc acc tgg gtg agc cag att ctg 4087 Gly Thr Thr Trp Val Ser Gln Ile Leu 50 55 gac atg atc tac cag ggt ggt gac ctg gag aag tgt cac cga gct ccc 4135 Asp Met Ile Tyr Gln Gly Gly Asp Leu Glu Lys Cys His Arg Ala Pro 60 65 70 atc ttc atg cgg gtg ccc ttc ctt gag ttc aaa gcc cca ggg att ccc 4183 Ile Phe Met Arg Val Pro Phe Leu Glu Phe Lys Ala Pro Gly Ile Pro 75 80 85 90 tca ggtgtgtgag tgtgtcctgg gtgcaagggg agtggaggaa gacagggctg 4236 Ser gggcttcagc tcaccagacc ttccctgacc cactgctca ggg atg gag act ctg 4290 Gly Met Glu Thr Leu 95 aaa gac aca ccg gcc cca cga ctc ctg aag aca cac ctg ccc ctg gct 4338 Lys Asp Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu Leu Lys Thr His Leu Pro Leu Ala 100 105 110 ctg ctc ccc cag act ctg ttg gat cag aag gtc aag gtgaggcagg 4384 Leu Leu Pro Gln Thr Leu Leu Asp Gln Lys Val Lys 115 120 gcacagtgtt tcacatccat aatcccagca ctttgggagg ctgaggcagg cagatcacct 4444 gaggttggga gtttgagagc accctgagca acatagaaga accttgtctc tactaaaaat 4504 acagaattag ccgggtgtgg tggcgggtgc ctgtaatccc agctactccg aagcctgaga 4564 caggagaatc acttgaaccc gggagaagga ggttgtggtg agccagagat cccaccattg 4624 cattccagcc tgagcaacaa gagcaaaact cacaaaaata aataaataaa tagatatata 4684 aataaaaata aaactgtggc acctgtggtg gctcactgct gtaatgccag cactttggga 4744 ggccaaattg ggtggatcac ttgagctcag gagttacaga ccagcccggg aaacatgggg 4804 aacttccatc tctataaaaa tgcaaaatat cagcagggca tggtggcatg gcgctgtagt 4864 tccagctact ggaaagtctg aggttggagg attgcttgag cctgggaggt caaggttgca 4924 gtgagttatt atcactccag tgcactccaa cctgggcgac agaaaaaaag aaagaccaag 4984 gtcttttttc ttttttgaga ttgtctcaat aaataaataa atgaataaat aaaaataaaa 5044 taaagtaaaa taaatcccac aattaaaaga aaaagcaaag gtccaggtgt ggggcatgtg 5104 aatccaggga aggaggccct ggctcagccc agctttggtc ctgttcttct gggaaagtcg 5164 cctcacttcc tccagccttg tctcatcttc tgcggcgggg actgtctgcc tcttgctctg 5224 atgaccaaga acgtaaggct cttcagtgta gacctaagaa agctagaggg tgggtcctca 5284 caggcccaca aaatttggtg gcggtgggat cacggctggt ggagcgtgcc ttgctccaga 5344 tcggggtgtg acgcattgat gcagattata ttgctataga atatgatggt ctcagggacc 5404 aggcaggact ttggcttctg agcagggttc agatcctgac ttggccctac cggtgccgtg 5464 agatctcaaa caagtcagcc tctaagcctc aggttcctcc tttgccaatc caagagatga 5524 gctggcctgg ggcaggctgt gtggtgatgg tgctggggtt gagtcttctg cccctgcag 5583 gtg gtc tat gtt gcc cgc aac gca aag gat gtg gca gtt tcc tac tac 5631 Val Val Tyr Val Ala Arg Asn Ala Lys Asp Val Ala Val Ser Tyr Tyr 125 130 135 140 cac ttc tac cac atg gcc aag gtg cac cct gag cct ggg acc tgg gac 5679 His Phe Tyr His Met Ala Lys Val His Pro Glu Pro Gly Thr Trp Asp 145 150 155 agc ttc ctg gag aag ttc atg gtc gga gaa ggtgggtttg atgggaggaa 5729 Ser Phe Leu Glu Lys Phe Met Val Gly Glu 160 165 ggaaagtgtg gagccgaggg gtggtggcta caacgcacag caaccctgtg ttggcacccc 5789 ttgcctgctt ctcca gtg tcc tac gga tcc tgg tac cag cac gtg cag gag 5840 Val Ser Tyr Gly Ser Trp Tyr Gln His Val Gln Glu 170 175 tgg tgg gag ctg agc cgc acc cac cct gtt ctc tac ctc ttc tat gaa 5888 Trp Trp Glu Leu Ser Arg Thr His Pro Val Leu Tyr Leu Phe Tyr Glu 180 185 190 gac atg aag gag gtgagaccac ctgtgaagct tccctccatg tgacacctgg 5940 Asp Met Lys Glu 195 gggccggcac ctcacaggga cccaccaggg tcacccagcc ccctcccttg gcagccccca 6000 cagcaggccc ggattcccca tcctgccttc ttggcccagg cctccccgct acaggcccca 6060 cctggcagcg ggccccacac ggctctcatc acccacatct gagtcagctg catggggggc 6120 cacggatcag aaacttagtc ctattgctac tccctgccaa agggtgtgcc acccagggcc 6180 acagtcatgg aagaagacca tcacggtcct cacccatagg agccaagccc agctcatgat 6240 gggatcacag ggcagacagc aattcttttt acccccggga ctggggccct gggggttgag 6300 gagttggctc tgcagggtct ctaggagagg tggccagatc gcctctgagg ttagagaagg 6360 ggaccccttt tacttttcct gaatcagcaa tccgagcctc cactgaggag ccctctgctg 6420 ctcag aac ccc aaa agg gag att caa aag atc ctg gag ttt gtg ggg cac 6470 Asn Pro Lys Arg Glu Ile Gln Lys Ile Leu Glu Phe Val Gly His 200 205 210 tcc ctg cca gag gag acc gtg gac ttc atg gtt cag cac acg tcg ttc 6518 Ser Leu Pro Glu Glu Thr Val Asp Phe Met Val Gln His Thr Ser Phe 215 220 225 aag gag atg aag aag aac cct atg acc aac tac acc acc gtc ccc cag 6566 Lys Glu Met Lys Lys Asn Pro Met Thr Asn Tyr Thr Thr Val Pro Gln 230 235 240 245 gag ttc atg gac cac agc atc tcc ccc ttc atg agg aaa ggtgggtgct 6615 Glu Phe Met Asp His Ser Ile Ser Pro Phe Met Arg Lys 250 255 ggccagtacg ggggtttggg gcgggtggga gcagcagctg cagcctcccc ataggcactc 6675 ggggcctccc ctgggatgag actccagcct tgctccctgc cttccccccc ca ggc atg 6733 Gly Met 260 gct ggg gac tgg aag acc acc ttc acc gtg gcg cag aat gag cgc ttc 6781 Ala Gly Asp Trp Lys Thr Thr Phe Thr Val Ala Gln Asn Glu Arg Phe 265 270 275 gat gcg gac tat gcg gag aag atg gca ggc tgc agc ctc agc ttc cgc 6829 Asp Ala Asp Tyr Ala Glu Lys Met Ala Gly Cys Ser Leu Ser Phe Arg 280 285 290 tct gag ct gtgagagggg ctcctggggt cactgcagag ggagtgtgcg aatcaaacct 6887 Ser Glu gaccaagcgg ctcaagaata aaatatgaat tgagggcctg ggacggtagg tcatgtctgt 6947 aatcccagca atttggaggc tgaggtggga ggatcatttg agcccaggag ttcgagacca 7007 acctgggcaa catagtgaga ttctgttaaa aaaataaaat aaaataaaac caatttttaa 7067 aaagagaata aaatatgatt gtgggccagg catagtggct catgcctgta atcccagcaa 7127 tttgagaagt tgaggctaga ggatc 7152 30 49 PRT Homo sapiens 30 Met Glu Leu Ile Gln Asp Thr Ser Arg Pro Pro Leu Glu Tyr Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly Val Pro Leu Ile Lys Tyr Phe Ala Glu Ala Leu Gly Pro Leu Gln 20 25 30 Ser Phe Gln Ala Arg Pro Asp Asp Leu Leu Ile Ser Thr Tyr Pro Lys 35 40 45 Ser 31 42 PRT Homo sapiens 31 Gly Thr Thr Trp Val Ser Gln Ile Leu Asp Met Ile Tyr Gln Gly Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Leu Glu Lys Cys His Arg Ala Pro Ile Phe Met Arg Val Pro Phe 20 25 30 Leu Glu Phe Lys Ala Pro Gly Ile Pro Ser 35 40 32 33 PRT Homo sapiens 32 Gly Met Glu Thr Leu Lys Asp Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu Leu Lys Thr 1 5 10 15 His Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu Leu Pro Gln Thr Leu Leu Asp Gln Lys Val 20 25 30 Lys 33 42 PRT Homo sapiens 33 Val Val Tyr Val Ala Arg Asn Ala Lys Asp Val Ala Val Ser Tyr Tyr 1 5 10 15 His Phe Tyr His Met Ala Lys Val His Pro Glu Pro Gly Thr Trp Asp 20 25 30 Ser Phe Leu Glu Lys Phe Met Val Gly Glu 35 40 34 32 PRT Homo sapiens 34 Val Ser Tyr Gly Ser Trp Tyr Gln His Val Gln Glu Trp Trp Glu Leu 1 5 10 15 Ser Arg Thr His Pro Val Leu Tyr Leu Phe Tyr Glu Asp Met Lys Glu 20 25 30 35 60 PRT Homo sapiens 35 Asn Pro Lys Arg Glu Ile Gln Lys Ile Leu Glu Phe Val Gly His Ser 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Glu Glu Thr Val Asp Phe Met Val Gln His Thr Ser Phe Lys 20 25 30 Glu Met Lys Lys Asn Pro Met Thr Asn Tyr Thr Thr Val Pro Gln Glu 35 40 45 Phe Met Asp His Ser Ile Ser Pro Phe Met Arg Lys 50 55 60 36 36 PRT Homo sapiens 36 Gly Met Ala Gly Asp Trp Lys Thr Thr Phe Thr Val Ala Gln Asn Glu 1 5 10 15 Arg Phe Asp Ala Asp Tyr Ala Glu Lys Met Ala Gly Cys Ser Leu Ser 20 25 30 Phe Arg Ser Glu 35 37 8397 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (3730)...(3879) CDS (3987)...(4112) CDS (4198)...(4293) CDS (6088)...(6213) CDS (6309)...(6404) CDS (7214)...(7393) CDS (7516)...(7629) 37 ctctccctcc ttgtctctta cctgcctgct gcctgggaca ggatgaagcg gggcccttgt 60 gttgccccaa ccctggctgt tggctaagag cccacgtgat ctgcctgtga gaggagttcc 120 ttccggaaga accagggcag cttctgcccc tagagggcca atgccctagc tgagtgcagt 180 cccccggccc cagcctggtc cagctttggg aagagggtgc ccagttgtgc aatccaggcc 240 ggggcagccg tgtcctgatc ttggtattca gggctgagcc tggagggggc ttgtgatgcc 300 tgactctgtc tctctctctg gccccatgcc ttggtagctg tgaggcgtca ctgctttggg 360 tgacctgatc tggctgtgat ggatgagcac gggggaaata gtggaagact cggaattaga 420 agacgtgagt gggctttggc cccagcctcc ctaccccact ccctgtcctg ggctgcctgt 480 gaccaacctt gtttctgcag gcacactgga tagccctgct ggagctcagt gtccctaatc 540 ccctccagat actggtggcc taggggaggt catcaaagac cagtgggaca tcgacctcag 600 cctgtttcca cgtttcttgt tgtttttttt tttttgtgga gacagagttt cactcttgtt 660 gcccaggctg gagtgcaatg gcgtgatctt ggctcaccgc aacctctgcc tcccgggttc 720 aagcgattct cctgcctcag cctcccaagt agctgggatt acaggcgtgt gccaccaggc 780 ttgactaatt ttctattttt agtagagaca aggtttctcc atgttggtca ggctggtctc 840 aaactcccga cttcaggtga tctgcctgcc tcggcctccc aaagtgctgg gattacagga 900 gtgagccacc gtgccaggcc ttctccaggc tcttggcacc ttagccagaa acaatttaag 960 gacaagtgca aaagtcatga acgtaggcag atttcctgca gagtaaaggg actcactgaa 1020 gaagaggaac gtgggggtcc tcaagagagt gtctcatgcc ctacaaggtg tggggctgac 1080 ctttatgggc ttcttcaact aaagaggggt atattcatga agagtccagg aaaaggtaaa 1140 gatttctcaa gaccgtggtg ccacaattta cacccaaata caggtgttcc tggagccgtc 1200 ttggcactgg tgggtgtacg gtttcatatg ttactgattg tacagtgaga tcctaggtga 1260 aacctacatc aaatacagcg ccatgttgct tctggttggt cgcagccagc ttggtcctca 1320 tcctattttt cagggactta ttggcccttg gcacatgcag ctatttcaag tttccttctt 1380 ctggtcatgt gaaactgctg cctgggattt tctgttgtct tgctagcact ctattaatct 1440 cacattctcg cctcttttct gtgccacccc ctgctggtcc ggctggtttt cactagagtg 1500 caatacaaag tctcagtcaa gagggcctcc tgaaggttgc tgagggcagg ggtggagcta 1560 gtagccggag gacctgccag tcatggggat tcctcagggg cacagaggag ggaggagggg 1620 cctgtggccc tagcagggga gcagcctctc ctctgcctgg aaatcccatg cctcagtttt 1680 ccccgcttgc ctctgagctc acgcaaccct gggaaggctt gggagactca cctttactca 1740 gatggttgtt tacctgtctc gtgcccaggt tgaccctgga ctttaaatag tgaggacaaa 1800 gaacgaggag ggtgggggga tgcactcctt ccacgggggc ctgtggcttc caagcctcaa 1860 cctcctctgg tctctgtctg tggagcctcc ttcaaaccca tggaaagaaa agtacctgcc 1920 aggggctgtg gttcttctag gatcttctat cgatgttctg tgaggtcccc agggagccat 1980 gaagctgggg ctggctccca gggcaatggg actgcagtgt ccttgttctt tcttggttct 2040 atggatccat gctctgctcc acccctgccc cttcactctg cccacacgca tcactccaga 2100 ctggccttgt ggtcagagcc tggagtgcat gggctgctgg aggcctgtgg gttgcactgg 2160 gccaggaccc ctggcacctt caagactggc ctggagccag caggtaggtg acctttccag 2220 ggcctgccta tcccagcttt ctcctccaat ccctcccctc tcttgcctgg gtcaattaga 2280 gaaagcttgt cttttggagt tcaggggcag gtcaggagcc cagtgacagc tcaaaaaaaa 2340 aaccccaaaa aaaaaacccc accattgggc cctttcccct ttcattcttc tgttttctac 2400 acaccaaacc cagtcgtggc tttggagatc actttaagct tgtctccagc tggcaaacta 2460 aggagggtaa tagagaagct cccccacccc caaccctacc ccttccttcc ggaagcaaat 2520 ctaagtccag ccccggctcc agatccctcc cacactgacc taagaaaccc tcagcacaga 2580 caacacccct gcattcccca cacaacaccc acactcagcc actgcgggcg aggagggcac 2640 gaggccaggt tcccaagagc tcaggtgagt gacacaccgg aatggcccag gacgccctca 2700 ccctgctcag cttgtggctc caacattcca gaagccgagg cctctgttat ctctgccctc 2760 tccccatgga tatcccattt cagacaaccc cggccggcct gaatccccct cccttccttt 2820 ttttttttcc ggggaggcca ggtcttgctg tcaccgaggc tggagtgctg tgggatcctg 2880 gccactgcag ccttgaattc ctgggctcaa gtgattctcc tgcctcagta gctaggacta 2940 cagaccctca ccatcctgcc tggatagttt taaaaaatat ttttaaaaga tttttagaga 3000 tggggtcttc caatgctgcc cagattggtc tccaaattct ggcctcagcc tccctagggt 3060 ctgggattac aggtgggagc caccctgccc aggatcctcc ttttgctgag tcatcacagt 3120 tttgctcatt cccacatcag gctctggccc ccaataccag ctcagttgct caatgggctg 3180 tttgtcctgg aacccagatg gactgtggcc gggcaagtgg atcacaggcc tggccagcct 3240 aggagttgcc acatgtgagg ggccgagggg ctcaaggagg ggaacatcgg ggagaggagc 3300 ctactgggtg gaggctgggg gtcccagcag gaaatggtga gacaaagggc gctggctggc 3360 aggaagacag cacaggaagg tcctagaggt tcctcagtgc agctggactc tcctggagac 3420 cttcacacac cctgacatct gggccccgtt ccacgagggt gctttcactg gtctgcacca 3480 tggcccaggc cctgggattt tgaacagctc cgcaggtgaa tgaaaggtga ggccaggctg 3540 gggaaccacc acattagaac ccgacctggt tttcagcccc agccccgcca ctgactggcc 3600 ttgtgagtgc gggcaagtca ctcaacctcc ctaggcctca gtgacttccc tgaaagcaag 3660 aattccactt tcttgctgtt gtgatggtgg taagggaacg ggcctggctc tggcccctga 3720 cgcaggaac atg gag ctg atc cag gac atc tct cgc ccg cca ctg gag tac 3771 Met Glu Leu Ile Gln Asp Ile Ser Arg Pro Pro Leu Glu Tyr 1 5 10 gtg aag ggg gtc ccg ctc atc aag tac ttt gca gag gca ctg ggg ccc 3819 Val Lys Gly Val Pro Leu Ile Lys Tyr Phe Ala Glu Ala Leu Gly Pro 15 20 25 30 ctg cag agc ttc cag gcc cgg cct gat gac ctg ctc atc agc acc tac 3867 Leu Gln Ser Phe Gln Ala Arg Pro Asp Asp Leu Leu Ile Ser Thr Tyr 35 40 45 ccc aag tcc ggt aggtgaggag ggccacccac cctctcccag gtggcagtcc 3919 Pro Lys Ser Gly 50 ccaccttggc cagcgaggtc atgctcacct cagcctgctc acctcccatc tccctccctc 3979 tccaggc acc acc tgg gtg agc cag att ctg gac atg atc tac cag ggc 4028 Thr Thr Trp Val Ser Gln Ile Leu Asp Met Ile Tyr Gln Gly 55 60 ggt gac ctg gaa aag tgt cac cga gct ccc atc ttc atg cgg gtg ccc 4076 Gly Asp Leu Glu Lys Cys His Arg Ala Pro Ile Phe Met Arg Val Pro 65 70 75 80 ttc ctt gag ttc aaa gtc cca ggg att ccc tca ggt gtgtgtgtcc 4122 Phe Leu Glu Phe Lys Val Pro Gly Ile Pro Ser Gly 85 90 tgggtgcaag gggagtggag gaagacaggg ctggggcttc agctcaccag accttccctg 4182 acccactgct caggg atg gag act ctg aaa aac aca cca gcc cca cga ctc 4233 Met Glu Thr Leu Lys Asn Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu 95 100 ctg aag aca cac ctg ccc ctg gct ctg ctc ccc cag act ctg ttg gat 4281 Leu Lys Thr His Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu Leu Pro Gln Thr Leu Leu Asp 105 110 115 120 cag aag gtc aag gtgagactgg gcacagtggt tcacacccgc aatctcagta 4333 Gln Lys Val Lys ctttgggagg ctgaggtggg aagatccctt gaagccagaa gttccagata agtctcttcc 4393 aaaaaaaaaa cttagctgtg catagtggtg tgtgcctgta ataccagtta ctcaggaggt 4453 tgaggtggga ggatcatctg agcctaggag tttaaggtta cagcgagcta tgatcacacc 4513 agtgcactcc aggctgggtg acagagaaac actgtctcaa aaaacgatga atagaaagag 4573 tgtcccacca gtgcggtggc tcacacctgt aattccagca cttgaagagg ctgaggcagg 4633 tggatcacct gagactagga gtttgagatc agcctggcca acatggcaaa accccatctc 4693 tactaaaaat acaaaaaaat tagccgggca tggtggcagg catctgtaat cccagctact 4753 tgggaggctg aagcaggaga attgcttgaa gctgggaggc agaggttgta gtcagccgag 4813 acctcaccat tgcaccgcag cctgggaaac aagagcaaaa ctctgtctca aaaaaaaaag 4873 aaaaaaataa aaaagcggca ggtggcaggg ggctgggcct gttgtggctc acgcctgtaa 4933 taccagcact ttcggaggtc gaggtgggca gatcacccaa ggttaggagt ttgagatcag 4993 tctggccaac atggagaaac cccgtctcta ctaaaaatac aaaaattagc caggcgttgg 5053 ggcaggcgcc agtaatccca gctactcggg aggctgagga aggagaatag cttgcacctg 5113 ggaggcggtg gttgcagtga gccgagattg tgccactgta ctccagcctg ggagacacaa 5173 cgagacattg tttcaaacaa aacaaataaa tattttaaaa ggtttgccac ctgggtggct 5233 caccgctgta atgccagcat tttgggaggc caagatgggt ggaccgcttg agctcaggag 5293 ttccagacca gcccaggaaa catggggaga ctccatctct ataaaagatg caaataatca 5353 gcagggcatg gtggcatagc gctatagtcc cagctactca aaagtctaag gttggaggat 5413 tgcttgagcc tgggaggtca acgttgcagt gagctattct cactccagtg cactccaacc 5473 tgggcaacag gaaaaaagaa agcccaaggt cttttttctc ttttctcttt tttttgagac 5533 ctagagtccc cccccccaaa aaaaaaaaaa ccacaacaaa aagaaaaaag caaaggtcca 5593 ggtgtggggc atgtgaatcc agggaaggag gccccggctc agcccagctt tggtcctgtt 5653 cttctgggag agtcgcctca cttcctccag acttgtctca tcttccacgg gggggactgt 5713 ctgccttttg ctctgatgac caaaaacatg agactcttcc gggtagacct aagaaaggta 5773 gagggtgggt cctcacagac ccacaaaatt tggtggtggt gggaacatgc ctggtggagc 5833 atgccttgct ccagatcggg gtgtgacgca ttgatgcaga ttatattact atagaatatg 5893 atggtctcag ggaccaggca ggactttggc ttttgagcag ggttcagatc ctgacttggc 5953 cctacctgtg ccgtgagatc tcaaacaagt cagcctctaa gcctcagctt cctcctttgc 6013 caaaccaaga gatgagctgg cctggggcag gctgtgtggt gatggtgctg gggttgagtc 6073 ttctgcccct gcag gtg gtc tat gtt gcc cgc aac gca aag gat gtg gcg 6123 Val Val Tyr Val Ala Arg Asn Ala Lys Asp Val Ala 125 130 135 gtt tcc tac tac cac ttc tac cac atg gcc aaa gtg tac cct cac cct 6171 Val Ser Tyr Tyr His Phe Tyr His Met Ala Lys Val Tyr Pro His Pro 140 145 150 ggg acc tgg gaa agc ttc ctg gag aag ttc atg gct gga gaa 6213 Gly Thr Trp Glu Ser Phe Leu Glu Lys Phe Met Ala Gly Glu 155 160 165 ggtgggcttg atgggaggaa ggaaggtgtg gagctaaggg gtggtggcta caacgcacag 6273 caaccctgtg tcggcacccc ctgcccgctt ctcca gtg tcc tat ggg tcc tgg 6326 Val Ser Tyr Gly Ser Trp 170 tac cag cac gtg caa gag tgg tgg gag ctg agc cgc acc cac cct gtt 6374 Tyr Gln His Val Gln Glu Trp Trp Glu Leu Ser Arg Thr His Pro Val 175 180 185 ctc tac ctc ttc tat gaa gac atg aag gag gtgagaccgc ctttgatgct 6424 Leu Tyr Leu Phe Tyr Glu Asp Met Lys Glu 190 195 tccctccacg tgacacctgg gggcaggcac ttcacaggga cctgccaagg ccacccagcc 6484 accctccctg ggcggcccct ccagcaggcc cggattcccc atcctgactc cctggcccag 6544 gccccactgc agccccatgt ggcagcaggc tgggcacagc tctcatctcc tgtgcctgag 6604 tcagctgcac gggtggccat ggatcagcta cttttttttt tgagacaaaa gtcttgctct 6664 gttgtccagg atggcatgca gtggtgtgat ctcagctcag tgtaaccccc cctcccaggt 6724 tcaagtgatt ctcctgcctc agcctcctga gtagctgaga ttacagatgc acactaccat 6784 gcctggctaa tttttgtgtt gtgccatgtt ggccaggttg gtctccatct cctgagctca 6844 ggtgatccgc ctgcctcagc ctcccaaagt cttgggaatt acacgcctga accacggccc 6904 cttgccacag atcagctatc tattccaatt gcttctccct gccaatggtt atgccaccca 6964 gggccacagg cacggaagaa gaccatccca gtccttaccc ataggagcca agcccagctc 7024 atgatgggat cacagggcag acagcaattc attttgcccc agggactggg gtcccagggg 7084 tcgaggagct ggctctatgg gttttgaagt ggaagtggcc agttcccctc tgaggttaga 7144 gaagtggacc ccttttattt tcctgaatca gcaatccaag cctccactga ggagccctct 7204 gctgctcag aac ccc aaa agg gag att caa aag atc ctg gag ttt gtg ggg 7255 Asn Pro Lys Arg Glu Ile Gln Lys Ile Leu Glu Phe Val Gly 200 205 210 cgc tcc ctg cca gag gag act gtg gac ctc atg gtt gag cac acg tcg 7303 Arg Ser Leu Pro Glu Glu Thr Val Asp Leu Met Val Glu His Thr Ser 215 220 225 ttc aag gag atg aag aag aac cct atg acc aac tac acc acc gtc cgc 7351 Phe Lys Glu Met Lys Lys Asn Pro Met Thr Asn Tyr Thr Thr Val Arg 230 235 240 cgg gag ttc atg gac cac agc atc tcc ccc ttc atg agg aaa 7393 Arg Glu Phe Met Asp His Ser Ile Ser Pro Phe Met Arg Lys 245 250 255 ggtaggtgcc ggccagcacg ggggtttgga gcaggtggga gcagcagctg gagcctcccc 7453 ataggcactc ggggcctccc ctgggatgag actccagctt tgctccctgc cttcctcccc 7513 ca ggc atg gct ggg gac tgg aag acc acc ttc acc gtg gcg cag aat 7560 Gly Met Ala Gly Asp Trp Lys Thr Thr Phe Thr Val Ala Gln Asn 260 265 270 gag cgc ttc gat gcg gac tat gcg gag aag atg gca ggc tgc agc ctc 7608 Glu Arg Phe Asp Ala Asp Tyr Ala Glu Lys Met Ala Gly Cys Ser Leu 275 280 285 agc ttc cgc tct gag ctg tga gaggggttcc tggagtcact gcagagggag 7659 Ser Phe Arg Ser Glu Leu * 290 295 tgtgcgaatc aagcctgacc aagaggctcc agaataaagt atgatttgtg ttcaatgcag 7719 agtctctatt ccaagccaag agaaaccctg agctgaaaga gtgatcgccc actggggcca 7779 aatacggcca cctccccgct ccagctcctc aacttgccct gtttggagag gggagagggt 7839 ctggagaagt aaaacccagg agacgagtag agggggaatg tgtttaatcc cagcacgtcc 7899 tctgctgtcc tgccctgtgt cgttggggga tggcgagtct gccaggcggc atcacttttt 7959 cttgggttcc ttacaagcca ccacgtatct ctgagccaca ttgaggggag gggaatagcc 8019 atctgcatag gaggtgtctt caaacaggac cgagtagtca tcctggggct gtggggcagg 8079 cagacaggag gggctgctca gagaccccca ggccaggaca ggcaccccct tcccccagcc 8139 tagaccacag gaggctctgg gccgtggact ctcagccact cctaacatcc ttcactctgg 8199 ggtcaagaag tcttggccca gtccctgctg ctacagagct cttttctcag tggctggaga 8259 cccaaggcag ggaataggca gggaggagta ggggtgctga ctcccttcct agtggggtca 8319 tagctggagg gtctgctgcc tttcaaggac tctttgttga gaggactgag ggcaacccag 8379 agggtggcag gcagggat 8397 38 50 PRT Homo sapiens 38 Met Glu Leu Ile Gln Asp Ile Ser Arg Pro Pro Leu Glu Tyr Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly Val Pro Leu Ile Lys Tyr Phe Ala Glu Ala Leu Gly Pro Leu Gln 20 25 30 Ser Phe Gln Ala Arg Pro Asp Asp Leu Leu Ile Ser Thr Tyr Pro Lys 35 40 45 Ser Gly 50 39 42 PRT Homo sapiens 39 Thr Thr Trp Val Ser Gln Ile Leu Asp Met Ile Tyr Gln Gly Gly Asp 1 5 10 15 Leu Glu Lys Cys His Arg Ala Pro Ile Phe Met Arg Val Pro Phe Leu 20 25 30 Glu Phe Lys Val Pro Gly Ile Pro Ser Gly 35 40 40 32 PRT Homo sapiens 40 Met Glu Thr Leu Lys Asn Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Leu Leu Lys Thr His 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu Leu Pro Gln Thr Leu Leu Asp Gln Lys Val Lys 20 25 30 41 42 PRT Homo sapiens 41 Val Val Tyr Val Ala Arg Asn Ala Lys Asp Val Ala Val Ser Tyr Tyr 1 5 10 15 His Phe Tyr His Met Ala Lys Val Tyr Pro His Pro Gly Thr Trp Glu 20 25 30 Ser Phe Leu Glu Lys Phe Met Ala Gly Glu 35 40 42 32 PRT Homo sapiens 42 Val Ser Tyr Gly Ser Trp Tyr Gln His Val Gln Glu Trp Trp Glu Leu 1 5 10 15 Ser Arg Thr His Pro Val Leu Tyr Leu Phe Tyr Glu Asp Met Lys Glu 20 25 30 43 60 PRT Homo sapiens 43 Asn Pro Lys Arg Glu Ile Gln Lys Ile Leu Glu Phe Val Gly Arg Ser 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Glu Glu Thr Val Asp Leu Met Val Glu His Thr Ser Phe Lys 20 25 30 Glu Met Lys Lys Asn Pro Met Thr Asn Tyr Thr Thr Val Arg Arg Glu 35 40 45 Phe Met Asp His Ser Ile Ser Pro Phe Met Arg Lys 50 55 60 44 37 PRT Homo sapiens 44 Gly Met Ala Gly Asp Trp Lys Thr Thr Phe Thr Val Ala Gln Asn Glu 1 5 10 15 Arg Phe Asp Ala Asp Tyr Ala Glu Lys Met Ala Gly Cys Ser Leu Ser 20 25 30 Phe Arg Ser Glu Leu 35 45 8447 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (4361)...(4507) CDS (4612)...(4737) CDS (4827)...(4925) CDS (6322)...(6447) CDS (6543)...(6638) CDS (7137)...(7316) CDS (7439)...(7553) 45 acctctgcct cctggttcca agcaatcctc cttcctcacc ctccagagta gctgggatta 60 cacgcgcctg ccaccgcgcc tggcctaatt tttgtatttt tagtagagat gggggtttcc 120 aaccatgttg gccaggctgg tctccaaact cctgacctca ggtgatcctg cccacctaag 180 cctcccaaaa tgctggtatt acaggcatga gccaccgtgc ccggcctaaa taattaataa 240 aataatggac gatgggtgcc ttctactgag ctcccggtaa ttgtgagtga gtagaggact 300 tgccctgggg acattcagtg acctgctggg tgttgctgag ctgtgaggaa gttcaggtct 360 ggctgcagtg gtgaggctgt gactcaatca atcactgctg atgctcccag gacctgcacc 420 agcttagtcc taggggcaag gattttaact gtccacctca gtttcttcat ttgtaagatg 480 caaataacag tcacccctgc ctcatgggat ggagctgtgt aatgcccgca acagtgcctg 540 ctgcatagag gggttgctgc cagctgcctc tccctccttg tctcttacct gcctgctgcc 600 tgggtcagga tgaagagggg cccttgtgtt gcccccaccc tggctgcctg ctaagggccc 660 atgtgatctg cctggcagag gagtttcttc aggaagaacc agggcagctt ctgcccctag 720 agggccaatg cccttggtga gtgcagtccc ctggccccag cctggtccac ctctgggaag 780 agggtgccca gttgtgcaat ccaggcccag gcagctgagc cctcatctca gcatgcaggg 840 cggatactgg agggggcttg tggcatctga ctctgtatct cctacctgcc cctctccttg 900 gtagctgtga gaagtcactg ctttggggag acctgatctg gctgtgccag atggacactg 960 agaaagaagt agaagactca gaattagaag aggtgagtgg gctttggtgg cgggctccct 1020 accccactcc ctgccctggg ctgcctgtga ccacactgct tgcctctgca ggcacactgg 1080 acagacctgc tggagacctg atcctcagtg tccttacccc ctcctacctc ttttctgtgc 1140 cacctgctgt gggtccagca ggtttttact tgagtacaat aaaaagtctg agtcaagggt 1200 gccttatggt ggatgctgag gggaggggcg gagctagtag cccaaggtcc tgccagtcac 1260 ggggcttcct caggggcaca gaggaggcag gaggggcccc tggccctagc acgtgaacag 1320 cttctactct gcctggaaac cccatgcctc agctttcccc tacttgcctc tgagctcatg 1380 caattcttgg aagcctggga gacttacctt gaaattgaat gcaaatagga caaagaccaa 1440 ggaggatggg gggatgccct ccttccacgg ggccctgtgg cttccaagtc ttaatctcct 1500 ctagtctctt gtctacggag cctccttcaa acccagggaa agaaaagcac ctgccagggt 1560 tgtttttctt ctaggatctt ctattgatgc tctgtgaggt cccccaggag ccatgaagct 1620 agggctggct cctagggcaa tgggactaca gtgtccttgt cctttcttat tctttctgtt 1680 ctttctttct ttcttttttt tttttttttt tttttttgag acagagtctc actctgttgc 1740 ccaggctgga gtgcagtggt gtgatcttgg ctcactgaaa cctccgcctc ctgggttcaa 1800 gtgattctct tgcctcagcc tcctgagtag ctaggattac aggtgcccgc catcatgccc 1860 agctaatttt tgtattttta gtagagacag ggtttcacca tgttggccag cttggtctcg 1920 aactcctgac ctcaggtgat cctgctgcat cgacctccca aagtactggg attacaggcg 1980 tgagccacca cgctcagcct ctttcttgtt ctatatgtcc atgctctgct ccacttctgc 2040 cccttcactc tgccccacac atcactccag actggccttg tggtcagagc ctggaatgcc 2100 tgggctgctg ggggcctgtg gactgcactg ggccagaacc cctgccgcct tcaagactgg 2160 cctgtagcca gcaggtaggt gacttttccc aggccggcct atcccacctt tcccctccac 2220 tcactcacct cccttgcctg ggtcaattag agaaagcttg tcggccaggc atggtggctc 2280 atgcctgtaa tctcagcact ttgggaggcc gaggcgggcg gatcatctga gctcaggagt 2340 ttgagaccag cctggccaac atggcaaaac cccgtctcta ctaaaaatac aaaaattaac 2400 cggatgtggt ggtgtgcacc tgtaatccca gctactcggg aggctgaggc agaagaatcg 2460 cttgaaccca ggagggggag gttacagtga gcggagatcg tgctactgca ttgcagcctg 2520 ggcgagagag cgagtctcca tctcacataa aaaaaagaaa aagaaagaaa gcaagcttgt 2580 ctgttggcct gccctgcagg gtggagttca gagggaaggt caggagccta gtgacagctc 2640 aaaaaaaaaa aaacccaaat accaatgttg gccccttttg cctttcattc atgtgttttc 2700 tatacactaa actcacatat tgggtttgca gatcactcca agcttggctg gagctgtggt 2760 ggtaaggagg gtaatagaga agcttcccca ccctcaaccc caccccttcc ttcctggagt 2820 tcccagccct gactttagat ccctcccaca ctggaccttc aaaaccctca gggcagagag 2880 cagccctaca ctccctacac cacacccata ctcagcccct gcaggcaagg agagaacagg 2940 tcaggttccc gagagctcag gtgagtgaca cgttggaatg gcccagggca ccttcaccct 3000 gctcagcttg tggctccaac attctagaag ccgaggcctc tgccatccct gccctttccc 3060 atggatattc catttcaatt agacaaccca gcctggccgg aatccccctg cgttccttct 3120 tttcctttgt gtatttttga gacagggtgt tgctccgtca cccaggctgg agtgtagtgg 3180 gatcctggcc cactgcagcc tcaaattcct aggctgaggc aatcctgccg cctcagcctc 3240 ctgagtagct ggggttacaa gagcaagcca ccacacccag ctaattttga aaaatatttt 3300 ttgtagagga gaggtcttgc tttgttgtcc aggttggtct caaactccag ggctcaaggg 3360 atcctttccc gttggcctcc caaggctctg ggattacagg cgggagtcac cctgcctggg 3420 cccctccttt tgatgagtca tcagttttca ttcccgcacg aggctctagc ccctggtacc 3480 agcttagttg ctcaatgggc tgtgtttgtt ctggagccca gatggactgt ggccaggcaa 3540 gtggatcaca gacctggccg gcctgggagg tttccacatg tgaggggcat gaggggggct 3600 caaggagggg agcatcgggg agaggagcgc actgggtgga ggctgggggt cccagcagga 3660 aatggtgaga caaagggcgc tggctggcag ggagacagca caggcaggcc ctagagcttc 3720 ctcagcacag ctggactctc ctggagacct tcacacaccc tgatatctgg gccccgcgct 3780 acgagggtgc tttcactggt ctgcactatg ccccaggccc tgggattttg aacagctctg 3840 caggtgactg aaaggtgcgg ccaggctggg gaacgacctg gtttcagccc cagccccgcc 3900 actgactgac tttgtgagtg cgggcaagtc actcagcctc cctaggcctc agtgacttcc 3960 ctgaaagcaa aaactctgca aaggggcagc tgggtgctgg ctcacacctg taatcccagc 4020 actttgggag gctgaggtag acaaatcact tgaggccagg agttctagac cagcctggcc 4080 aacatggtga aaccccatct ctactaaaga aaaaaaaaaa ttagctgagc atggttgtac 4140 atgcttgtaa tcccagctac ttgggatgcc gaggcgggag gattgcttga acccaagagg 4200 tggagtttgc agtgagctga gattgtgcca cactgcactc cagcttgggt gagagtgaga 4260 ctccatctca aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaagaga gaatcccact ttcttgctgt tgtgatggtg 4320 gtaagggaac gggcctggct ctggcccctg atgcaggaac atg gag ctg atc cag 4375 Met Glu Leu Ile Gln 1 5 gac acc tcc cgc ccg cca ctg gag tac gtg aag ggg gtc ccg ctc atc 4423 Asp Thr Ser Arg Pro Pro Leu Glu Tyr Val Lys Gly Val Pro Leu Ile 10 15 20 aag tac ttt gca gag gca ctg ggg ccc ctg cag agc ttc caa gcc cga 4471 Lys Tyr Phe Ala Glu Ala Leu Gly Pro Leu Gln Ser Phe Gln Ala Arg 25 30 35 cct gat gac ctg ctc atc aac acc tac ccc aag tct ggtaagtgag 4517 Pro Asp Asp Leu Leu Ile Asn Thr Tyr Pro Lys Ser 40 45 gagggccacc caccctctcc caggcggcag tccccacctt ggtcagcaag gtcgtgccct 4577 cagcctgctc acctcctatc tccctccctc tcca ggc acc acc tgg gtg agc cag 4632 Gly Thr Thr Trp Val Ser Gln 50 55 ata ctg gac atg atc tac cag ggc ggc gac cta gag aag tgt aac cgg 4680 Ile Leu Asp Met Ile Tyr Gln Gly Gly Asp Leu Glu Lys Cys Asn Arg 60 65 70 gct ccc atc tac gta cgg gtg ccc ttc ctt gag gtc aat gat cca ggg 4728 Ala Pro Ile Tyr Val Arg Val Pro Phe Leu Glu Val Asn Asp Pro Gly 75 80 85 gaa ccc tca ggtgcatggc tgggtcctgg gggtaaggga agtggaggaa 4777 Glu Pro Ser 90 gacagggctg gggcttcagc tcaccagacc ttccctgacc cactactca ggg ctg gag 4835 Gly Leu Glu act ctg aaa gac aca ccg ccc cca cgg ctc atc aag tca cac ctg ccc 4883 Thr Leu Lys Asp Thr Pro Pro Pro Arg Leu Ile Lys Ser His Leu Pro 95 100 105 110 ctg gct ctg ctc cct cag act ctg ttg gat cag aag gtc aag 4925 Leu Ala Leu Leu Pro Gln Thr Leu Leu Asp Gln Lys Val Lys 115 120 gtgaggccgg cctcaatggt tcacacctgt catcccagtt tgagactgag gagggaggat 4985 cccttgaagg cgagagatgg agaccagcct gggcaacatt gctgtagaga tgacatccca 5045 tctctacaaa aataaaatta acaacctggt atggtggcat agactgttcc cagttactta 5105 ggaggctcag cggggaggac tgtttatgca aataggaagc tgcaatgagc cctgatgatc 5165 ctgctgctgc actccagcct gggcaacaca gcaaaaccat ctctacgaaa aaaaaagttc 5225 ccactgactg gcaaggaaag ccaggaaggg gggctcaggt gccctctcag ccatgtacct 5285 gttcttctgg aagggcctcc tcgcttctgc caggctcatc acatcttttt tttttttgag 5345 acagagtctt gctctgtcac cctggctgga gtgcagtggc atgatctcag ctcactgcaa 5405 cctccgcctc cccagttcaa gtgattctcc tgcctcagcc tcctgagtag ctgggattac 5465 aggcgtgtgc taccacaccc ggctaatttt tgtattcttt ttagtagaga cggggtttca 5525 ccatgttggt caagtggatc tcaaactctt gaccttgtga tcctcctgcc tcgacctcac 5585 aaagtgctgg aattacaggc gtgagccacc gcgcctggcc cttttttttt ttgagacagt 5645 ttcactcttg ttgccgaggc tagagcgcaa tcgtgtgatc tcggttcact gcaaccaccg 5705 cctcctgggt tcaagcaatt ctcctgcttc agcctcccaa ggagctggga ttacaggtac 5765 ctgccaccac gcccggctaa ttttgtattt ttagtagaga tggggtttca ccatgttggt 5825 caggctggtc ttgaactcct gacctcaggt gatctggcac cttggcctcc caaagtgccg 5885 ggattagagg catgagccac cacgcccagc cttcatcaca tcttgagaga ggacactgtc 5945 tgcctcttgc tctgatgagg gtctgatgca aaggatagtg agtctctaca gtgcacactt 6005 aagaaaggca gcatgtgggt gctcacaggt caggcggagg agggggagct ggtggggacc 6065 aggcatgcct tgctccagat caggatatga tggcattggt gcagattata ttagtataga 6125 atatggtctc aggaaccagg caggactttg gcttccgagc agggttcaga tcccagcttg 6185 gccctacctg tgcagtgaga tctcaagcaa gtcagcctct aagcctcagg ttcctccttt 6245 gccagttcaa cagatgagct ggcctggggt gggctgtgtg gtgatggtgc tggggctggg 6305 tcctctgccc ctgcag gtg gtc tat gtt gcc cga aac cca aag gac gtg gcg 6357 Val Val Tyr Val Ala Arg Asn Pro Lys Asp Val Ala 125 130 135 gtc tcc tac tac cat ttc cac cgt atg gaa aag gcg cac cct gag cct 6405 Val Ser Tyr Tyr His Phe His Arg Met Glu Lys Ala His Pro Glu Pro 140 145 150 ggg acc tgg gac agc ttc ctg gaa aag ttc atg gct gga gaa 6447 Gly Thr Trp Asp Ser Phe Leu Glu Lys Phe Met Ala Gly Glu 155 160 165 ggtgggcttg actggaggaa ggagggtgtg aagccgaggg gtggtggcta taacgtacag 6507 caaccctgtg tcggtgcccc ctgcccgctt ctcta gtg tcc tac ggg tcc tgg 6560 Val Ser Tyr Gly Ser Trp 170 tac cag cac gtg cag gag tgg tgg gag ctg agc cgc acc cac cct gtt 6608 Tyr Gln His Val Gln Glu Trp Trp Glu Leu Ser Arg Thr His Pro Val 175 180 185 ctc tac ctc ttc tat gaa gac atg aag gag gtgagaccga ctgtgatgct 6658 Leu Tyr Leu Phe Tyr Glu Asp Met Lys Glu 190 195 tccccccatg tgacacctgg gggcaggcac ctcacaggga cccaccaagg ccacccagcc 6718 ccgtccctgg gcggctccca cagcaagccc ggattcccca tcctacctcc ctggcccagg 6778 cccccccact gcagccccac ctggcagcag gctcggcaca gctttcatct tctgcacctg 6838 agtcagctgc atgggtggcc acggatcaga tacttagtcc tattgcttat cctcaccaaa 6898 gggtgtgcca cccagggcca cagtcatgga agaagaccat cccggtcctc acccataggc 6958 gccaagccct gttcatgatg ggatcacagg gcagagatca attcatttta ctccagagac 7018 tagggcccca ggggttgagg ctctttgggg tttctagggg aagtggccag atcccctctg 7078 aggttagaga gggggacccg ttttgttttg ctccactgag gagccctctg ctgctcag 7136 aac ccc aaa agg gag att caa aag atc ctg gag ttt gtg ggg cgc tcc 7184 Asn Pro Lys Arg Glu Ile Gln Lys Ile Leu Glu Phe Val Gly Arg Ser 200 205 210 ctg cca gag gag acc atg gac ttc atg gtt cag cac acg tcg ttc aag 7232 Leu Pro Glu Glu Thr Met Asp Phe Met Val Gln His Thr Ser Phe Lys 215 220 225 230 gag atg aag aag aac cct atg acc aac tac acc acc gtc ccc cag gag 7280 Glu Met Lys Lys Asn Pro Met Thr Asn Tyr Thr Thr Val Pro Gln Glu 235 240 245 ctc atg gac cac agc atc tcc ccc ttc atg agg aaa ggtgggtgct 7326 Leu Met Asp His Ser Ile Ser Pro Phe Met Arg Lys 250 255 ggccagcacg ggggtttggg gcgggtggga gcagcagctg cagcctcccc ataggcactt 7386 ggggcctccc ctgggatgag actccagctt tgctccctgc cttcctcccc ca ggc atg 7444 Gly Met 260 gct ggg gac tgg aag acc acc ttc acc gtg gcg cag aat gag cgc ttc 7492 Ala Gly Asp Trp Lys Thr Thr Phe Thr Val Ala Gln Asn Glu Arg Phe 265 270 275 gat gcg gac tat gcg gag aag atg gca ggc tgc agc ctc agc ttc cgc 7540 Asp Ala Asp Tyr Ala Glu Lys Met Ala Gly Cys Ser Leu Ser Phe Arg 280 285 290 tct gag ctg tga g aggggctcct ggagtcactg cagagggagt gtgcgaatct 7593 Ser Glu Leu * 295 accctgacca atgggctcaa gaataaagta tgatttttga gtcaggcaca gtggctcatg 7653 tctgcaatcc cagcgatttg ggaggttgag ctggtaggat cacaataggc cacgaatttg 7713 agaccagcct ggtaaaatag tgagacctca tctctacaaa gatgtaaaaa aattagccac 7773 atgtgctggc acttacctgt agtcccagct acttgggaag cagaggctgg aggatcattt 7833 cagcccagga ggttgtggat acagtgagtt atgacatgcc cattcactac agcctggatg 7893 acaagcaaga ccctccctcc aaagaaaata aagctcaatt aaaataaaat atgatttgtg 7953 ttcatgtaga gcctgtattg gaaaggaaga gaaactctga gctgaaagag tgaatgcccg 8013 gtggggccac atatggtcac ctctccccca gccttcagct ccccaggtca ccatatctgg 8073 ggaggggaga agggtttgga gaagtaaaac ccaggagatg tgtggagggg ggatgtctgt 8133 ttaatcccag cacatcctct gctgtcctgc cccaagatgg tggaggacgt cgagtccgcc 8193 gggcagcgtc actttttctt gggctcctta gaagctacca ggtacctctg ggccacactg 8253 agatgagggg agtagccgcc tgcataggag gtgtcttcaa acaggatagt atagtccctc 8313 ctgggggttg tgggggtagg tggccaagga agggtagagg agcaagcccc cggggctggt 8373 tgtcaactca ctttgttggc tggaattggt tgtaacttga ccacctcggg caggatccca 8433 ctgctcatcc ccaa 8447 46 49 PRT Homo sapiens 46 Met Glu Leu Ile Gln Asp Thr Ser Arg Pro Pro Leu Glu Tyr Val Lys 1 5 10 15 Gly Val Pro Leu Ile Lys Tyr Phe Ala Glu Ala Leu Gly Pro Leu Gln 20 25 30 Ser Phe Gln Ala Arg Pro Asp Asp Leu Leu Ile Asn Thr Tyr Pro Lys 35 40 45 Ser 47 42 PRT Homo sapiens 47 Gly Thr Thr Trp Val Ser Gln Ile Leu Asp Met Ile Tyr Gln Gly Gly 1 5 10 15 Asp Leu Glu Lys Cys Asn Arg Ala Pro Ile Tyr Val Arg Val Pro Phe 20 25 30 Leu Glu Val Asn Asp Pro Gly Glu Pro Ser 35 40 48 33 PRT Homo sapiens 48 Gly Leu Glu Thr Leu Lys Asp Thr Pro Pro Pro Arg Leu Ile Lys Ser 1 5 10 15 His Leu Pro Leu Ala Leu Leu Pro Gln Thr Leu Leu Asp Gln Lys Val 20 25 30 Lys 49 42 PRT Homo sapiens 49 Val Val Tyr Val Ala Arg Asn Pro Lys Asp Val Ala Val Ser Tyr Tyr 1 5 10 15 His Phe His Arg Met Glu Lys Ala His Pro Glu Pro Gly Thr Trp Asp 20 25 30 Ser Phe Leu Glu Lys Phe Met Ala Gly Glu 35 40 50 32 PRT Homo sapiens 50 Val Ser Tyr Gly Ser Trp Tyr Gln His Val Gln Glu Trp Trp Glu Leu 1 5 10 15 Ser Arg Thr His Pro Val Leu Tyr Leu Phe Tyr Glu Asp Met Lys Glu 20 25 30 51 60 PRT Homo sapiens 51 Asn Pro Lys Arg Glu Ile Gln Lys Ile Leu Glu Phe Val Gly Arg Ser 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Glu Glu Thr Met Asp Phe Met Val Gln His Thr Ser Phe Lys 20 25 30 Glu Met Lys Lys Asn Pro Met Thr Asn Tyr Thr Thr Val Pro Gln Glu 35 40 45 Leu Met Asp His Ser Ile Ser Pro Phe Met Arg Lys 50 55 60 52 37 PRT Homo sapiens 52 Gly Met Ala Gly Asp Trp Lys Thr Thr Phe Thr Val Ala Gln Asn Glu 1 5 10 15 Arg Phe Asp Ala Asp Tyr Ala Glu Lys Met Ala Gly Cys Ser Leu Ser 20 25 30 Phe Arg Ser Glu Leu 35 

1-17. (Canceled).
 18. A method for determining sulfonator status in a subject, said method comprising detecting the presence or absence of a sulfotransferase allozyme in said subject, and determining said sulfonator status based, at least in part, on presence or absence of said sulfotransferase allozyme. 19-31. (Canceled).
 32. A method for determining the sulfonator status of an individual, said method comprising determining whether said subject comprises a variant SULT1A1, SULT1A2, or SULT1A3 nucleic acid.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein said variant SULT1A1 nucleic acid comprises an adenine at nucleotide
 638. 34. The method of claim 32, wherein said variant SULT1A1, SULT1A2, or SULT1A3 nucleic acid comprises the SULT1A1*2 allele.
 35. A method for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of a compound in a subject, wherein said compound is sulfonated, said method comprising: a) determining the sulfonator status of said subject; and b) correlating said sulfonator status with the ability of said subject to metabolize said compound, wherein said compound is predicted to be therapeutically effective if said sulfonator status is enhanced in said subject, and wherein said compound is predicted not to be therapeutically effective if said sulfonator status is reduced in said subject.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein said determining of said sulfonator status comprises determining whether said subject comprises a variant SULT1A1, SULT1A2, or SULT1A3 nucleic acid.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein said variant SULT1A1, SULT1A2, or SULT1A3 nucleic acid comprises a non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism.
 38. The method of claim 35, wherein said determining of said sulfonator status comprises measuring sulfotransferase activity in a sample from said subject.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein said sample is a blood sample.
 40. The method of claim 38, wherein said sulfotransferase activity is SULT1A1, SULT1A2, or SULT1A3 activity.
 41. A method for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of a compound in a subject, wherein metabolism of said compound comprises sulfonation, said method comprising: a) estimating the level of sulfotransferase activity in said subject; and b) correlating said level of sulfotransferase activity with the ability of said subject to metabolize said compound, wherein said compound is predicted to be therapeutically effective if said level of sulfotransferase activity is increased in said subject, and wherein said compound is predicted not to be therapeutically effective if said level of sulfotransferase activity is reduced in said subject.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein said sulfotransferase is SULT1A1, SULT1A2, or SULT1A3.
 43. The method of claim 41, wherein said level of sulfotransferase activity in said subject is estimated by determining whether said subject comprises a variant SULT1A1, SULT1A2, or SULT1A3 nucleic acid.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein said variant SULT1A1, SULT1A2, or SULT1A3 nucleic acid comprises a non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism.
 45. A method for estimating a dose of a compound for administration to a subject, wherein metabolism of said compound comprises sulfonation, said method comprising determining the sulfonator status of said subject, wherein said dose is estimated to be higher if said sulfonator status is increased in said subject, and wherein said dose is estimated to be lower if said sulfonator status is decreased in said subject.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein determination of said sulfonator status comprises determining whether said subject comprises a variant SULT1A1, SULT1A2, or SULT1A3 nucleic acid.
 47. The method of claim 46, wherein said variant SULT1A1, SULT1A2, or SULT1A3 nucleic acid comprises a non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism. 